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‘Not Interested in Ignoramus Referee’: Football Federation of Armenia President on Gonzalez

The Football Federation of Armenia (FFA) has submitted a complaint to UEFA regarding the Oct. 11 Euro 2012 Armenia-Ireland qualifier, according to a Facebook status update by FFA President Ruben Hayrapetyan, who added that what interests him is annulling the red card handed to Armenian goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky and not punishing “that ignoramus,” referring to referee Eduardo Iturralde González who decided to dismiss Berezovsky for a controversial handball outside the penalty area in the 26th minute.

“As for [rumors of] match-fixing by UEFA, dear football fans, please believe me: there could not have been such a dictate from UEFA. Michel Platini is not that man who would allow himself to do such a thing,” he wrote in Armenian using Latin letters.

The FFA president (and Member of Parliament) also thanked all fans of Armenia’s national team, who even in defeat stand by their side.

“Real football fans are just like you. I am proud of you, that you are there and you support the national team. In truth, we have really strong fighting football players devoted to their work. They were worthy of victory. But football has its cruel rules. Let’s not be disappointed and support our dear team and our wonderful boys,” Hayrapetyan wrote.