Forward, or Adidas for Armenia’s national football squad?

By Lusine Shahbazyan

YEREVAN. – In November 2011, the National Olympic Committee of Armenia (ARMNOC) signed a sponsorship contract with the Forward sportswear company of Russia. And pursuant to this agreement, Armenia’s Olympic teams are obligated to participate, with this company’s products, in all official competitions to be held in accordance with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) calendar, and in which ARMNOC likewise will take part.    

But the Football Federation of Armenia (FFA), which also is an ARMNOC member, has a sponsorship contract with the Adidas company, and, according to this agreement, Armenia’s national football team cannot play in any international competition wearing the jerseys of any other company.

During a recent press conference, FFA President Ruben Hayrapetyan had said the following in this connection: “The Committee [ARMNOC] had no right to sign such contract. We [FFA] have our contract with Adidas. They did not have such right; or, in the contract they should have noted ‘except for football.’”  

And ARMNOC Secretary General Hrachya Rostomyan told NEWS.am Sport that Armenia’s athletes are obligated to wear Forward apparel in all IOC competitions, irrespective of the type of sport. 

“This refers to football as well. If the [national] football team gets Olympic ratings, they likewise will wear [them],” Rostomyan stated.