Elkhan Mammadov: We will express our view to UEFA on Ndlovu's episode - INTERVIEW

Baku.18 October. REPORT.AZ/ The AFFA Secretary General Elkhan Mammadov gave an interview to Report News Agency:

- By playing to a goalless draw with Spanish Atletico in the group stage of Champions League, Azerbaijan's Qarabag FC earned its first point. What can you say about the match?

- This is a great result. Let’s not forget against which team Qarabag played yesterday. Atletico is a team that twice played in the final of Champions League. They came to Baku with similar squad and the same head coach. They needed three points for this reason they wanted a victory. But after watching the game we can say that Qarabag was deprived of three points on the match with Atletico. They deserved the victory and there was an opportunity for that. Our team showed very nice football and fought well. There were several scoring chances.

- People are discussing why referee showed the second yellow card to Qarabag striker and did not give a penalty for episode when Dino Ndlovu fell inside the box of rival team…

- In this regard we will express our view to UEFA. They should look into this issue and make necessary decision. UEFA representative was present at the match. The referee observer will assess the referee. When we watch the replay of that episode we can say that referee made a mistake. There was a penalty.

- Do you think if the same episode had happened in front of the gate of Qarabag, would the referee give a penalty?

- It is difficult to say. I cannot say such word in an official way.

- Some time ago you wrote about video replay in football. Do you think introduction of video assistant referee (VAR) system is vital in such moments?

- When we see such episodes and experience it ourselves we think that video replay is necessary. It has the advantages. But video replay system has not been approved yet. Now it is being introduced and checked in testing mode. UEFA conducts its analysis. Perhaps it will be approved in the future. But I don’t think it will find its solution in the next 2-3 years. Because besides technical equipment, it requires human resources.

- There was a reaction on Dino Ndlovu episode in the political level as well and the referee’s decision was connected to political factors….

- I would not regard it with policy, it was just a mistake of referee.