During a snap session of the Armenian Football Federation, journalists asked Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s mother, Marina Tashchyan, about a statement made by the Prime Minister’s consultant, Mesrop Arakelyan, that Henrikh Mkhitaryan should be deprived of his title as the captain of the Armenian football team; “A change in the captain who, mildly put, could care less about the team.” Tashchyan was asked about how she would comment on this statement and whether or not she discussed this issue with her son.
“To be honest, I haven’t discussed this with my son because I do not want to speak about this so he won’t feel bad. I called the federation and demanded that they respond to Mr. Arakelyan’s interview. The federation only responded after my phone call. I think that the football federation, if it is indeed a federation, needs to put this person to shame.”
When asked if she is worried that the federation will use her statements against her son, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Marina Tashchyan said, “The federation against Henrikh? Let them try. That will only hurt them. They’ve already tried it. If they feel that they should not invite Henrikh to the team, they can not invite him. Such conversations took place with the athletic department. I won’t say anything else now.”
Ashot Hakobyan
