Noah head coach Sandro Perkovic — on refereeing, the future of Armenian football, and risks to the league’s development

After the 2–2 draw with Alashkert, Noah head coach Sandro Perkovic made one of the strongest statements of the season, touching on Armenian football’s key issues — from refereeing to the systematic development of youth.

According to the Croatian specialist, a few weeks ago he visited a museum dedicated to the tragic pages of Armenian history, and the contrast between what he saw and the children training in football academies was a powerful emotional experience for him:
“When you leave the museum — in a state of shock and sadness — the first thing you see is the Pyunik academy. About 150 kids were playing there. Urartu has a great academy, Noah has a rapidly growing one. These children have a future. But this kind of refereeing kills the future of Armenian football,” Perkovic said.

“If you were waiting for someone to speak about the problem — I will: it is huge”
He emphasized that during his five months in Armenia he has seen a systemic crisis in the results of youth and U21 national teams:
“The U21 team hasn’t won in five years, the others — in three. A 1–9 loss to Portugal is not a coincidence. Armenia has good players and good coaches. The problem is not with them.”

Perkovic’s main complaint is refereeing. According to him, in the match with Alashkert four penalties were awarded against Noah, three of which he considers unjustified:
“This is already the tenth such case since the first round. It feels as if we’re not playing football but water polo. These are not mistakes — this is a system. And such decisions kill the future of Armenian football.”

On European prospects and Noah’s role
The coach reminded that Noah is the only Armenian club this season to reach the group stage of European competitions:
“Who are we playing for? For Armenian football. If we earn points, next season the league’s second team will be able to start from the Europa League. This is a chance for the whole country. And in return we get four penalties? Is this respect?”

On the new stadium and risks for the future
Perkovic also addressed the club president’s initiative to build a new modern stadium:
“When was the last time a stadium was built in Armenia? Nobody remembers. And now there will be an arena everyone will be proud of. But why do I feel that someone is doing everything possible to push such a person away? To make him say someday: ‘Why do I need all this?’”

“The league must be cleaner — for Armenian children”
In conclusion, the coach emphasized that Noah has a future regardless of results, but the league must be fairer:

“FC Noah will live. Whether we become champions or not — that’s a process. But for Armenian children, for their future, the league must be cleaner.”