The executive director of "Sabail" Football Club, Firuz Abdulla, answered the questions of "Report". The functionary spoke about the "sailors"' goals in the First League in the 2025/2026 season and future plans.
- How is the preparation for the new season in the First League going?
- Preparation is an expression that contains many aspects. In general, we have already started preparing. An exchange of views is underway regarding the football players who can contribute to the successful results of our team next season. We will decide on the date of the start of our training in the near future.
- In which arena will the team play its home games in the lower division?
- You know that "Sabail" has obtained a Premier League license for the next season in accordance with the rules. 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 at "ASCO Arena" in both the First League and the Premier League since its establishment, and we see no 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 in this regard.
- What innovations are expected regarding the squad? Have you been able to agree with any player who will be in the squad for the next season?
- We have negotiated with several football players and made our offers. There are those who responded positively, and there are those who want time to think. There are players we have agreed with and are close to reaching an agreement. Information about transfers will be given 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 academy's activities due to the low budget in the First League?
- Unfortunately, it is very difficult, or even impossible to operate the academy with the budget we have in the First League. 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 and aim is to return to the elite of the national championship. We will fight for this result. Football is not a sport that likes forecasts, so it is very difficult to say now in what order the teams will be arranged in the First League table in May of next year. But we hope that the alphabetical order in the tournament table will be broken by "S" of "Sabail".