The President of the Georgian Football Federation, Levan Kobiashvili, has strongly condemned the behavior of Georgian fans who caused disturbances after the Georgia vs. Armenia match in Tbilisi. In his official statement, he emphasized that such behavior is unacceptable and harms not only football but also the international image of the country.
"Such behavior towards visiting fans is absolutely unacceptable. With this disgraceful act, we have insulted them and prevented our own team from celebrating the victory together with their supporters. Actions like these damage football and the reputation of our country," Kobiashvili stated.
Sequence of Events
The incident took place on March 23 at the Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi after Georgia secured a convincing 6-1 victory over Armenia. After the final whistle, a group of Georgian fans ran onto the field and approached the away section where Armenian supporters were seated. Some of them made obscene gestures towards the Armenian fans.
The situation escalated as more Georgian spectators moved towards the Armenian sector. A verbal altercation ensued, followed by bottles and other objects being thrown toward the Armenian fans.
Even though the match had ended, many Georgian fans remained on the field celebrating their team's victory. However, the incident caused a strong public outcry, and the Georgian Football Federation may now face sanctions. Possible penalties include a ban on spectators at upcoming national team matches and disciplinary fines from international football organizations.
The Georgian Football Federation has called on fans to show respect and sportsmanship to prevent similar incidents in the future and to maintain a positive image of Georgian football on the international stage.
After the match, many Georgian fans and journalists apologized for the actions of the hooligan group. Additionally, most Georgian supporters in the stadium booed the behavior of their compatriots. Many have pointed out in their statements that Armenia warmly welcomed Georgian fans during the first match, yet in return, they received such treatment in the second game.
Mass Brawl Among Fans After Georgia vs. Armenia Match in Tbilisi (VIDEO)