Rovnag Abdullayev: Organising this match is of special importance to Azerbaijan and the region in helping increase the popularity of football

"Organising the UEFA Europa League final is of great importance to the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) and the football community in our country. It’s a new excitement, a new joy and a new responsibility for us," AFFA President Rovnag Abdullayev said in his welcoming message in connection with the Europa League final due in Baku.

The head of the national association noted that the decision to host the final at the Baku Olympic Stadium is a positive assessment of the work the AFFA is doing to develop football in Azerbaijan, as well as the confidence and trust placed in us by UEFA: "We are grateful to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, who is the biggest supporter of large sports events in Azerbaijan and is always attentive to sports and athletes.

"Organising this match is of special importance to Azerbaijan and the region in helping increase the popularity of football and it will bring new friends to our capital. New horizons will be opened for people who are visiting our country for the first time and who don’t yet know our beautiful capital, which is growing and developing every day. We also believe that this event will give impetus to the development of football in our country.

Rovnag Abdullayev said that the AFFA has a great tradition and experience of organising prestigious tournaments including the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, the 2014 UEFA Futsal Cup finals and the 2016 UEFA European Under-17 Championship: "Hosting this final will leave another positive legacy for football in our country."

London's Arsenal and Chelsea are to play in the UEFA Europa League final at the Baku Olympic Stadium on May 29. The match starts at 23.00 Baku time.