Expansion of the Premier League to 12 Teams. FC Ararat believes that the optimal solution for the development of Armenian football is to increase the number of teams in the Premier League to 12. This step would lead to the following positive changes:
- Ensuring a more diverse and engaging championship, reducing the number of repeated matches between the same opponents.
- Increasing competition and opportunities for Armenian footballers, positively impacting their development and playing experience.
- Creating a more balanced distribution of players among clubs, improving the overall quality of the championship.
Four-Round Championship Format
Ararat supports a four-round tournament format, which would ensure stability and a more balanced competition. This format would eliminate artificial advantages for certain teams and provide equal conditions for all participants throughout the season.
Foreign Player Limit
The club advocates for a reduction in the limit on foreign players and proposes a mandatory requirement to have at least two players with Armenian citizenship or those who have undergone training in Armenia. This approach would:
- Develop local football talent without imposing overly strict restrictions that could negatively affect the level of play.
- Increase competition among Armenian players, giving them more opportunities for professional growth.
- Maintain a balance between the quality of play and the development of national football.
Opposition to the BKMA Project
FC Ararat expresses concern regarding the existence of the BKMA club, as its model creates an artificial competitive imbalance in Armenian football. As a result:
- Many young Armenian footballers choose BKMA due to exemption from military service, depriving other clubs of the opportunity to work with promising players.
- The concentration of talented local players in a single club limits their development and professional growth, as they do not face full-fledged competition.
- This contradicts the FFA’s policy of increasing the number of Armenian players in clubs, as talented footballers are concentrated in one team instead of developing in a competitive environment.
FC Ararat insists on the independent development of young Armenian footballers without interference from such projects. The club already has a successful track record of preparing and transferring young foreign players to European clubs and is ready to provide similar opportunities for Armenian footballers.