Aras Ozbiliz: If I’m elected, I will do everything to bring Henrikh Mkhitaryan back to national football team 

By Lusine Shahbazyan

If I am elected, I will do everything to bring Henrikh Mkhitaryan back to the national team. But if I will be elected to bring Henrikh back, it is better not to elect me. FFA presidential candidate. Aras Ozbiliz, who has retired from professional football and is running for the President of the Football Federation of Armenia (FFA), stated this at a press conference Monday.

"I know that the competition with [incumbent FFA President] Armen Melikbekyan will be difficult, but I find that my chances are great. The whole football world supports me. I submitted my candidacy because I believe that the federation is not working properly.

Regarding [former captain of the Armenian national squad] Henrikh Mkhitaryan, I will do everything to ensure that footballers like him play in the national team until they retire [from professional]. I'd be first to be glad to have Henrikh back [in the national team]. [But] if you're electing me for Henrikh to come back, you'd better not elect me. It is important for me that everyone believes that I can do all this. [But] don't elect me to bring Henrikh back. 

I have always said that after finishing my [professional football] career I will help Armenian football. I can't focus on making this all come true in two years. We must understand that it will be the result of a long road and work. I'm ready to go that road.

During this period, many criticisms were made against me; it was said that I am not yet ready to lead the federation. (…). I want to say that I am the person who knows football, I have come a long way, and I know how to solve problems," said Aras Ozbiliz.

The election of the FFA president will be held on December 23. Two candidates will vie for this position: incumbent president Armen Melikbekyan, and Aras Ozbiliz.

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