Azerbaijan's principled position of categorical rejection of any manifestation of separatism leads to the fact that not only the "Artsakh", but also the Sukhumi separatists began to experience serious problems with their international PR, in particular in the sports sphere.

The qualifying match for the World Cup by Conifa (separatist "soccer federation", unrecognized by FIFA "states") between the teams of the separatist Abkhazia and "Artsakh" has been canceled. The qualifying game to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 2024 was to be held July 10, 2023 in occupied Georgian Sukhumi. But Azerbaijani border guards simply would not let the separatist "footballers" through the checkpoint on the Lachin road. Humanitarian cargoes go through the Lachin checkpoint without any problems, but Azerbaijan does not intend to let "soccer teams" through for the separatists to advertise separatism with their soccer matches.

"President" of Conifa European Alberto Ricchio has already reacted to the cancellation of the separatist match: "We are very sorry about this situation, but we understand the problem. We are in contact with the Abkhazian federation to determine a new possible date of the game. All European soccer associations (meaning separatist soccer association - ed.) have until October 31 to take part in the qualifying matches".

The so-called separatist "ConFifa World Cup 2024" among teams of unrecognized "states" is planned in Iraqi Kurdistan - the exact date of the tournament is still unknown. It is possible that the separatist tournament will be canceled altogether. Anyway, Turkey is against such events and the Iraqi Kurdistan authorities are gradually inclining towards cooperation with Turkey, recognizing the inviolability of internationally recognized borders instead of the former aggressive separatism.

Taking into consideration the situation of so called "Artsakh" separatists, who are living their last days under the patronage of Russian peacekeepers, the separatist matches in Khankendi and "Artsakh" will most probably not be held any more. Separatists will no longer play soccer in other separatist-infested territories.

The cancellation of the Artsakh-Abkhazia separatist soccer match is deeply symbolic. Let us remind you that the so called "Artsakh Football Federation" was established in 2012. This federation is headed by Samvel Karapetyan. Its first "friendly" game the team "Artsakh" held on September 25, 2012 in Sukhumi. The return game was held on October 21, 2012 on the field of so-called "republican stadium" in the then occupied Khankendi.

Giorgi Kvinitadze