Sport24.az
Firuz Abdulla, Executive Director of "Sabail" Football Club, answered "Report"'s questions. Sport24.az reports that the functionary spoke about the "sailors"' goals and future plans in the First League in the 2025/2026 season.
- How is the preparation for the new season in the First League going?
- Preparation is an expression that contains many things. In general, we have already started preparations. There is an exchange of views on players who can contribute to the successful result of our team in the next season. We will decide on the date of the start of our training sessions in the coming days.
- In which arena will the team play its home games in the lower division?
- As you know, "Sabail" has duly obtained a Premier League license for the next season. However, since we finished the championship in the last place, we will play in the First League. In the licensing process, we indicated "ASCO Arena" as the stadium where our team will play its games. It is no secret that "Sabail" has played all its home games in the "ASCO Arena" since its foundation, both in the First League and in the Premier League, and we do not see any reason to change the venue today. It remains to solve certain technical issues, and we believe that we will receive a positive response from AFFA regarding this.
- What innovations are expected regarding the staff? Have you been able to reach an agreement with any player in the squad for the next season?
- We have held negotiations with several players and made our offers. There are those who have responded positively, and those who want time to think. There are players with whom we have reached an agreement and are close to reaching an agreement. Information about transfers will be provided to the public at the appropriate time.
- What will be the fate of the "Sabail" club's academy? Is there a possibility to stop the activity of the academy because the budget is small in the First League?
- Unfortunately, with the budget we have in the First League, it is very difficult, or even impossible, to operate the academy. If we can ensure our return to the Premier League, we have plans to reactivate the academy.
- Clubs that have been relegated from the Premier League for two consecutive seasons have been able to return. Will "Sabail" be able to do it?
- Of course, the goal is to return to the elite of the national championship. We will fight for this result. Football is not a sport that loves predictions, so it is very difficult to say now in what order the teams will be arranged in the First League tournament table next May. But we hope that the alphabetical order in the tournament table will be broken by the "S" of "Sabail".
