UEFA sponsorship Azerbaijan relies on a new strategy

Status: 12.06.2021 12:17 p.m. Azerbaijan’s capital Baku is a venue for the European Football Championship. State-owned oil company SOCAR has been a UEFA sponsor since 2013, but recently it dropped out. It’s part of a new strategy. From Silvia Stöber, tagesschau.de Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, shows itself from its brilliant side: three group matches and the quarter-finals of the European Football Championship will be played in the national stadium, which was opened in 2015. The state-owned energy company SOCAR signed on as a sponsor eight years ago for 90 million euros. However, its logo has recently been missing from the UEFA website. When asked by German media such as “11Freunde”, the European Football Association only confirmed the departure of SOCAR. There are several reasons to part with the oil company: The involvement in sport should distract from the human rights violations of the leadership in Baku, which has critics of the authoritarian and corrupt government persecuted and imprisoned – is one charge, another: Propaganda against the enemy neighbor during the war in autumn, with SOCAR mainly sharing tweets from the Azerbaijani leadership.

06/11/2021

New business strategy

However, according to news on Azerbaijani websites, the initiative to break up did not come from UEFA. Accordingly, SOCAR decided to end the sponsorship. At the end of May, the financial news portal fins.az quoted the deputy head of the public relations and event organization department of SOCAR, Ibrahin Ahmedov, saying that the company had changed its business strategy. For those projects that no longer fit, the expenses would be reduced. This also includes the extension of the partnership with UEFA. The press organ “iki sahil” explained that SOCAR decided in 2019 to rethink its old business strategy. With the management consultancy McKinsey, a new one has been developed for the period up to 2035, which takes into account the transformation of the global economy, the fourth industrial revolution and the energy transition.

02/09/2020

Questions about the political benefit

In fact, the question arises how profitable the costly sponsorship as well as the Hosting sports and cultural events for Azerbaijan were. The country has become better known around the world since it hosted the “Eurovision Song Contest” in 2012 and sports events such as Formula 1 in Baku every year since 2016. But sports and cultural events were always associated with reports on authoritarian governance, corruption and the human rights situation. This was ensured by national and international actors from civil society, the media and politics.

06/12/2015

In Azerbaijan, hoped for political support for the forcible recapture of areas under the control of enemy neighbors Armenia was limited to a few countries such as its close ally Turkey. Whose President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will not only use the European Football Championship to play in the group game between Turkey and Wales in Baku. He will also be in that during the war in autumn conquered city of Shusha travel.

analysis 01/10/2020

Heralded the post-oil era

Apart from that, SOCAR’s withdrawal from sponsorship shows the adaptability of the leadership around President Ilham Aliyev, who succeeded his father Gaidar in office in 2003. The often underestimated president succeeded in asserting himself against competitors and old power structures. To this end, he appointed his wife Mehriban Aliyeva as his deputy in 2017. She comes from a business family from Baku that has a corporate empire with Pasha Holding, but is considered more modern than the conventional oligarchs.

March 13, 2021

Modernization was the Aliyev’s response to severe crises that befell the country from 2014 onwards. At that time, oil prices fell massively for the first time. Azerbaijan experienced the first recession since 1995, the central bank had to devalue the national currency sharply. Despite the repression, the population’s displeasure over falling incomes was expressed in protests. In previous years, experts had warned of the dry up of energy sources on land. Extracting oil and gas from the Caspian Sea is more complex and expensive. At the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2018, Aliyev said: “When we saw a significant drop in oil prices, I said the post-oil era had already begun for us in Azerbaijan. We should forget about oil and gas.” He made the diversification of the economy the main objective. The main sources of income should be innovative technologies, entrepreneurship and agriculture.

Digital and green technologies

In fact, Aliyev filled senior posts with young technocrats. you de-bureaucratised and digitized the administration – to the delight of the citizens, who can now receive services from the state without bribery. Foreign companies should be able to invest more easily in special economic zones.

04/11/2018

Aliyev drew up ambitious plans for the areas recaptured during the war with the use and development of digital and green technologies. The British company Chapman Taylor received the contract for the town planning from Schuscha, who had previously carried out construction projects for Pasha Holding. Turkish companies, some with ties to Erdogan, take on infrastructure and mining projects.

Elite corruption remains

Experts and journalists point out that these contracts were awarded without tenders and transparency. This gives rise to the assumption that the fight against corruption is intended to spare the elite sector who want to develop sources of income apart from oil and gas with new branches of the economy. The fact that Azerbaijan is undergoing modernization, but not democratization, is also supported by the result of the parliamentary elections in 2020. To the disappointment of many of the younger generation, mostly old cadre members remained. Many new candidates from the ruling party were also not considered. The leadership used the strict restrictions at times during the corona pandemic to crack down on government critics. It remains to be seen whether the Azerbaijani leadership will withdraw from sponsorship entirely and whether other states with a similar background will also reconsider their commitment. For associations like UEFA, the question would then arise of how expensive events can be financed in the future.

02/11/2020

Buffon became a legend of Italian football thanks to his achievements at Juventus. But Spider-Man has never forgotten Parma, Ennio Tardini’s small football field was the first launch pad for him to become a big star of world football. After several failed negotiations over the past few years, this time Parma finally convinced Buffon to return to the Emilia-Romagna club. Before becoming a Juve legend, Buffon had 220 official matches to hold the Parma goal for 6 years (1995-2001). Back then, Buffon was teammates with a series of big stars like Lilian Thuram, Fabio Cannavaro, Hernan Crespo or Enrico Chiesa, a student of coach Carlo Ancelotti. Now Parma is no longer sparkling like the late 20th century used to stir European football, they will have to play in Serie B next season. This tournament is not too new for Buffon, who played in Serie B in the 2006/07 season under the Juventus shirt right after winning the world championship with Italy. Although he said goodbye to Italy in May 2018 at the age of 40, Buffon is… thinking again. Spider-Man feels that his mission with the blue shirt is still unfinished. Buffon would have become the first player in the history of world football to have six World Cup finals if Italy hadn’t slipped in the qualifying round in 2018. Buffon’s goal is to be selected as Italy’s number three goalkeeper in the 2022 World Cup finals (assuming Italy qualify). Of course, Buffon will have few opportunities to play if he is the number three goalkeeper, but his experience can help his teammates at important moments. This is not an impossible task because apart from Gianluigi Donnarumma being so excellent in goal, neither Alex Meret nor Salvatore Sirigu are Buffon’s opponents in terms of stability. Before agreeing to return to the old roof of Parma, Buffon also turned down the opportunity to serve Barca, simply because he could not be started if he joined the Camp Nou. Meanwhile at the age of 43, Buffon is still very hungry to play, after 2 years on the bench at Juve. If Parma’s form helps Buffon qualify for the 2022 World Cup, he will set two records: the first player to attend 6 World Cup finals and the oldest player in the history of this tournament (44 years old when the tournament started. ).

These teams will not suffer any penalties, and will still participate in the Champions League 2021/22 according to the position won in the domestic tournament. Previously, UEFA had filed a lawsuit with the Court in Switzerland, but the Ministry of Justice of this country stated that there was not enough basis to give a penalty to Real, Juve and Barca. The judges argued that UEFA was restricting creativity, eliminating competition and limiting audience choice. Ronaldo and his main lane teammates attend next season’s Champions League. Photo: Reuters. This announcement will not apply to the 9 clubs that have withdrawn from the plan to organize the Super League. UEFA still fines Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man Utd, Man City, Tottenham, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid 5% of revenue in a season, respectively 15 million euros. In addition, these clubs will have to pay a fine of up to 100 million euros if they participate in an unauthorized tournament in the future. While the teams signed the pledge with UEFA, Real, Juve and Barca rejected all attempts to negotiate. President Florentino Perez affirmed that FIFA and UEFA do not have the right to issue any penalty. On the night of June 9 (Hanoi time), British media reported that Man United, Man City, Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool also had to pay a total of £22 million fine to the Premier League organizers for being in the Super founding group. League. This money is used to solve existing problems in the English Premier League, to support fans and the community, not to be divided among the remaining 14 clubs. If they continue to participate in another tournament that is not allowed by the Premier League organizers, the “Big Six” group must pay a fine of 25 million pounds and have 30 points deducted in the league. ‘Never forgive the guys behind the Super League’ After 6 English teams withdrew from the Super League, Sky Sports commentator Kaveh Solhekol continued to strongly criticize the owners behind the plan for this tournament.

In the worst case scenario, the organization leading European football will ban both Real and Juve from the Champions League in the 2021/22 season. The final decision will be announced after the meeting ends. Real can win the La Liga title, but cannot get a Champions League ticket next season. Photo: Getty. While other teams have withdrawn from the plan to organize the Super League, Real and Juve still show their stubborn attitude, despite being allowed by UEFA to correct their mistakes. On the morning of April 22 (Hanoi time), President Flornetino Perez also confirmed that the Super League will not collapse, but only pause. “If you think the Super League has collapsed, you are mistaken. The plan is only suspended. 12 clubs cannot be changed by their own accord, because we have signed a contract before. I am not afraid of UEFA, nor are I afraid. FIFA “, journalist Fabrizio Romano quoted President Florentino Perez ‘remarks. Man Utd is also one of the teams that initiated the Super League project. Joel Glazer, owner of the Manchester football team, was also elected vice president of the tournament. However, “Red Devils” and 5 major Premier League clubs changed their minds and withdrew from the Super League on April 28. This move received applause from the UEFA president himself. ‘Never forgive the guys behind Super League’ After six English teams withdrew from the Super League, Sky Sports commentator Kaveh Solhekol continued to strongly criticize the owners behind the plans for this tournament.

The Super League was the slap on UEFA’s Champions League restructuring project on 36 teams. The most powerful football agency in Europe affirmed it would do everything to prevent this “rude project”. Old continental football heads are also believed to be furious at the advent of the Super League. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is also part of the opposition, saying the Super League will “harm football” and is asking sports leaders to step in. The European Clubs Association (ECA) requested an emergency meeting over the weekend for the project, but none of the Super League founding groups attended. The participants were in fact only Ajax CEO Edwin van der Sar and representatives of Bayern and PSG. Not stopping there, representatives of the Premier League, Serie A and La Liga all oppose this plan. England participated in the Super League the most when the Big 6 including MU, Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham were all said to have agreed. Knowing this information, Gary Neville indignantly: “Everything is bullshit. I have been a MU fan for 40 years but I feel disgusting. I am most disgusted with MU and Liverpool. Gary Neville Liverpool, they are always proud of the slogan “You will never have to go alone”, which is the national team, the fan club. MU is a team with a history of 100 years from workers, but are they planning to give everything to an unbeatable tournament where they are not relegated? It’s a shame and we have to take back our power from the top clubs in this country, including mine. This is purely greed, they (the bosses) are club imposters. They have nothing to do with the football of this country. The fan community here is 100 years old, who live, love football and the club wholeheartedly. They need protection. I make a lot of money from football, I make a lot of money from football, I invest money in a football club. I am not against economic employment from football. But there need to be fair rules for a tournament, the right for a team like Leicester to win the league and go to the Champions League. MU is not even attending the Champions League. So are Arsenal and Tottenham. But do they want the privilege of taking part in top tournaments? A pathetic satire. Enough is enough, this greed needs to end. My responses are not based solely on feelings. I am very honest. Subtract 6 clubs from tomorrow, push them to the bottom of the chart and cut all their money. It takes strong action “. Agreeing with the old game, Sir Alex Ferguson responded: “Super League pulls back the 70-year history of European club football. As a player of Dunfermline provincial football in the 1960s and fourths. The way the Aberdeen manager won the European Cup Winners’ Cup, I understood that a team in Scotland attending the European Cup was like climbing Everest. Everton spent £ 500 million to build a new stadium with ambitions to attend the Champions League. Fans around the world love this tournament. When I was at MU, we reached the finals four times and those were always special nights. I am not sure if MU will participate in the Super League, but I am not part of the decision making.

The hottest topic in the world newspapers today (April 19) is that a group of strong European football clubs demanded a divorce from the European Football Federation (UEFA) to form a super tournament. new. The Big Six Premier League group consisting of Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool along with major clubs in Spain and Italy such as Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan are starting to form a private tournament called the European Super League. This means, they will secede from the two most prestigious European leagues at the club level of the European Football Federation (UEFA), the Champions League and the Europa League. Meanwhile, two of Europe’s top five leagues currently Germany’s Bundesliga and France’s Ligue 1 are said to have refused to join the tournament. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will head the European Super League. PHOTO: GETTY UEFA immediately issued a statement to quell their ambitions. Specifically, UEFA warned that any club participating in the European Super League will be fined heavily and the players participating in the tournament will be banned from the national team. Despite that, this club group still runs a super project that can bring a lot of profit to them, even more than the Champions League. This tournament will be born by the members participating in the tournament. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez played a leading role in this shocking plot and was backed by giant US bank JP Morgan. The vice presidents who will run the tournament include Liverpool’s John W Henry, MU’s Joel Glazer, Arsenal’s Stan Kroenke and Juventus’ Anfrea Agnelli. Football fans in England have sided with UEFA, angry at the ideas and plans of clubs, especially the Big Six Premier League team that plays a huge role in the project. Account @ AnfieldRd96 wrote on Twitter, “The fans disagree with everything. I think we all agree that the idea of ​​the European Super League needs to be gone. ” Account @txmejakala added, “The European Super League is really the wrong league in this sport. We’ve seen billionaires get into football and they want nothing but power and control. They don’t care about the fans, they see the fans as a customer and they make fun of the fans ”. Arsenal club owner Stan Kroenke will be one of many vice presidents of the tournament that is being opposed around the world. PHOTO: GETTY Meanwhile, the @anna_woodberry account mentioned the direct cause of the problem, “The story of the European Super League will be framed as a battle between money and core principles. But in reality, it is a battle between money and money. A MU fan with an @markgoldbridge account wrote, “I absolutely hate the idea of ​​a super tournament like this. The fans need to stand up together and do what we can to oppose this tournament. The @SerbSB account added, “Imagine another fan group formed. If you think it is an emotional league now, the Super League will make you crave right now.