On January 22, presidential elections of Georgian Football Federation will be held. Though, "the choice" is already made because there is only one candidate. Organization "Our Football" will not put up candidature. Perhaps, you all know the reason of it - they know that it is no use. Many people think that everything is going well in Georgian football. "World Sport" talked to one of the founders of "Our Football" Levan Kipiani. He stated that he had nothing against the head of GFF. He does not like the system of it.
- You have decided that "Our Football" will not put up its candidature on January 22?
- Yes, we have decided. It is no use to do it. It seems that the elections will not be held fairly.
- How can you change the situation?
- The way how GFF acts is the continuation of the former federation. "Our Football" always stated that elections must be held fairly and Georgian football must be developed rightly. We always crash the wall. Sooner or later, it will have its result and perhaps, those people will be ashamed who state now that everything is alright and Georgian football is developing.
- What can you say about abolishing professional league?
- Unfortunately, clubs did not react on this fact. It would have been good if they supported professional league. GFF is not an independent organization. Government structure is its supervisor. I do not think, it is normal when the government tells you who you should vote for. All this is against the laws of FIFA and UEFA.
- People may argue with you - the government spends money and why it cannot meddle in football. It is said, who pays that orders music...
- It is not right. Why should meddle those people who are not competent in football and they do not have any experience? I think, in all other countries government spends money for football but they do not meddle. Besides that, we do not have law about sport. That's why we are in deadlock. Financial crisis in clubs, bad infrastructure and abolishing professional league are the result of it. The pitches are sold, children's football is in a bad situation. And they talk about progress. Where is this progress? Where is built infrastructure?
- What are you going to do? How often do you contact representatives of clubs?
- Of course, we often contact them and I know their opinion about this. But they do not say it in public. First of all, it is problem of society. There is no progress in football and unfortunately, fans do not feel sorry for it. We counted on them but in vain. I wanted people to understand that they should react now because it will be late to worry about it later. "Our Football" is a strong opponent of the federation. We have nothing against the heads of the federation. Unfortunately, some people think that we want to become a president of GFF. We will be pleased if someone will head Georgian football well. I do not confront anyone personally but I feel other way toward me.
- So, do heads of the federation confront you personally?
- How can we understand words of president of GFF who stated that he did not know me. But I answered well. I did not refuse to be his partner but some people consider it as ambush policy. I thought that I was doing well and we would have a chance to make our reforms in the federation and the election system would have changed. But I was cheated.
- Opponents will say why you do not show them your program of developing football.
- First president is chosen here and then people found out what he can do. Normal elections must be held. Before that election campaign should be held and candidates will show their programmes. Everything is known here before the elections campaign...
- The elections will be held on January 22. What can you say about it, January 22 will come so soon...
- As I know, the reason of it is that elections must be held before the national team's matches. They appointed the elections 40 days earlier and it will do them good. You cannot hold election campaign in 40 days. Besides that, New Year is coming and we have many holidays in January. The elections was appointed so early because of our activity.
- So, there was no way out?
- People's voice is the way out. Fans should be more active. Unfortunately, I guess that press is limited. The federation stated that success of the national team is their merit. If the national team does something wrong, they will blame the coach for it.
- If you become head of the federation - what will be your priorities?
- Infrastructure. Pitches are in a terrible situation. There are no conditions. Everything depends on infrastructure. Fund of developing Georgian football must be formed. Where can a child grow up when there is no pitch. Children do not want to go in for football anymore. Besides that, their physiology, psychology and medicine must be studied. Georgian football has potential but children do not have a chance to develop here.
- What does Mikheil Kavelashvili, another founder of "Our Football", do now?
- We will continue working. We have connection with children's football schools. Kavelashvili has good relationship with FIFA president Joseph Blatter who invites him to his birthday party every year. By the way, FIFA knows what is going on in Georgian football and they understand this terrible situation. They say that the only right way is to hold elections fairly but it cannot be done. We are not going to confront anyone because it will humiliate prestige of Georgian football. I repeat, our goal is not to become president of the federation. We will be pleased if someone will show up and do good to Georgian football. International support is the second stage. First of all, domestic relationship must be settled.
- Do you hold meetings with those people who have an influence upon GFF?
- No, I do not have and will not have business with them. There are some people who do harm to Georgian football consciously. They have bad influence on it, have no experience in football. The only thing they can do is to go to stadium and watch football. We should know one thing - unless there is no justice in football, we will lose more talented players and more pitches will be destroyed.



Ilia Nanobashvili