Deportivo Armenio: Azerbaijanis spend billions on propaganda, and we do it for free

When people talk about "Deportivo Armenio," it’s increasingly less about wins or losses. “People no longer debate whether Armenio won or lost. They talk about the jersey—what message it carries, what it wants to tell the world,” says the club’s marketing manager Marcelo Papazian in an interview with ArmenianWeekly.

This Argentine club of the Armenian diaspora has found a unique way of self-expression. While officially maintaining neutrality in accordance with AFA and FIFA regulations, Deportivo Armenio designs jerseys featuring Armenian provinces—including those outside the modern Republic of Armenia. Artsakh is absent, however—a deliberate decision due to international restrictions.

“A few years ago, the Palestinian club Palestino released a jersey where the number 1 was shaped like a map of Palestine. FIFA sanctioned them. We don’t cross the political line,” Papazian explains. “But depicting Armenia’s official territory is not a violation. In 2015, we released a jersey for the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide—and it was approved by AFA without any issues.”

Papazian emphasizes that a jersey isn’t just fabric—it’s a tool for telling the world about Armenian history, culture, and struggles. “Nowadays, many countries promote themselves through football clubs and airlines. Azerbaijan, for instance, through Atlético Madrid. But we have a club. And it’s not just a club for the Argentine-Armenian community—it’s a club for the entire diaspora. States spend millions on propaganda. We have our own—and it’s free.”

He also compares Armenio’s efforts to Azerbaijani clubs: “Look at FC Yerevan or Qarabag. We made the Armenian issue and the threat of invasion visible—just with a jersey. No money, no top division, no powerful sponsors. Imagine what we could do if we were in the Premier Division.”

Club president Luciano Nakis highlights the practical benefits of the jerseys: “They generate revenue that allows us to support all of the club’s amateur branches—youth and women’s football, which are completely free to participate in.”

He also mentioned the launch of the Deportivo Armenio App, which allows anyone—Armenian or not—to join and support the club. “For just $10 a month, you can become part of our mission—from anywhere in the world.”

One of the club’s key benefactors is Miami-based businessman Maximiliano Kalchian, who has supported Armenio since 2000. His contributions include the construction of a new gym and the implementation of social programs.

“We are not just building a football club,” says Kalchian. “We’re creating a safe space, a cultural platform, a beacon of hope—especially for children.” His message is clear: Armenians around the world can turn Deportivo Armenio into a global symbol, a unifying force, and a living testament to the strength of our heritage.

Full interview at ArmenianWeekly.

Deportivo Armenio: A Club Founded by the Armenian Community

The club was founded in 1962 by the Armenian community of Buenos Aires during a football boom among various national communities in Argentina. During this time, clubs such as Centro Español, Deportivo Español, Sportivo Italiano, Deportivo Paraguayo, and others emerged. The idea of creating the club belonged to a group of enthusiasts, among whom Vagram Sitsioglu played a special role. He arrived in Argentina from Armenia in 1959 and became one of the founding partners of the club, investing all his passion for football in its development.

Initially, the club was called Club Armen de Fútbol, but in 1968, it received its current name and joined the Argentine Football Federation.

The club quickly began to demonstrate success: in 1972, the team became the champion of the fourth division under the leadership of legendary goalkeeper Amadeo Carrizo, and in 1976, it won the third division championship. In 1977, the club almost reached the top division, finishing in third place.

True fame came to the club in 1986 when Deportivo Armenio advanced to Primera B Nacional. In the 1986/87 season, the team set a record by going 34 games unbeaten and became the champion, earning the right to compete in Argentina's top league for the first time in its history. This record remained unbroken for 12 years. Under the guidance of coach Alberto Parseghian and captain Miguel Gardarian, the team achieved historic success.

In its first season in the elite (1987/88), the club finished in 13th place, with notable victories against River Plate (3:2) and Boca Juniors at La Bombonera (1:0). However, by 1989, the club was relegated from the top division and has not returned since.

Despite the decline in results, Deportivo Armenio continues to play an important role in the Armenian community of Argentina. In 1992, thanks to businessman Eduardo Eurnekian, the Estadio República de Armenia was built, serving as both a football venue and a cultural center for the Armenian diaspora.

The Estadio República de Armenia belongs to the Deportivo Armenio football club and is located in the city of Ingeniero Maschwitz, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.

During the 1990s, the club experienced difficult times, but the situation was saved by one of South America's most successful businessmen—Eduardo Eurnekian, the owner of Zvartnots Airport and Converse Bank. He financed the club for many years and helped build the stadium. The Armenian community of Argentina actively participated in the construction, including Noray Nakis, who served as club president in the 2000s. Currently, the club is managed by his son, Luciano Nakis.

Since then, the stadium has become not only a sports facility but also a cultural center for the Armenian population of Buenos Aires. Events commemorating the victims of the Armenian Genocide, as well as national celebrations, are held there. Recently, an Armenian school and a football academy have opened on the stadium grounds.

Initially, the stadium was small, but later, the main stand featuring the Armenian tricolor was built. Today, the stadium has a capacity of up to 8,000 spectators.

The club's emblem reflects its cultural and religious roots. It includes the letter "Է" from the Armenian alphabet, symbolizing "essence" and resembling a cross—a reminder that Armenia was the first country to officially adopt Christianity. The emblem also features Mount Ararat, a symbol of Armenian identity and a reference to the biblical story of Noah's Ark.