Explainers

THEY have the longest journey of any team in Euro 2020, but Wales fans are being welcomed with open arms in Azerbaijan.The country was one of only three – the other two being Hungary and Russia – to tell Uefa in April that fans of all teams playing at the national stadium could enter without quarantine.
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Wales face by far the longest journey of any team at Euro 2020 as they travel to AzerbaijanCredit: PA
Wales will stay ten days in Baku as they face Switzerland and TurkeyCredit: Getty
Azerbaijan FA (AFFA) Vice-President Elkhan Mammadov told SunSport: “We believe the participating countries’ fans have to be able to fly and support their teams. It’s very important.”
The Azerbaijanis have also made a huge statement of intent by announcing games in Baku will take place at 50 per cent capacity, while venues like Wembley will only be a quarter full for the group stage.
Wales fans determined to make the 6,000-mile round trip will need only a match ticket and a negative PCR test to enter Azerbaijan.
“They can get a visa on arrival by presenting a match ticket or they can get a visa online in advance. There’s no quarantine.”
Azerbaijan is hoping up to two thousand fans of Robert Page’s side will brave six-hour flights each way and a ten-day quarantine on return to the UK.

As long as they have a match ticket and a negative PCR test, Wales fans will be free to enjoy BakuCredit: EPA
Azerbaijan’s FA is hopeful of up to two thousand Welsh fans flying to Baku for the tournamentCredit: Getty
But the warm welcome the Dragons get won’t necessarily extend to support for the team on the pitch in one particular fixture – Wales vs Turkey.
Mammodov said: “Because we speak almost the same language, because we have a shared history, because it’s our region and we have six or seven flights a day to Istanbul, most of the locals will support Turkey.”
Turkey has become a second team for people in Azerbaijan – a country that has never qualified for an international football tournament, with youngsters typically excelling in chess instead.
He added: “Every family in Baku, every person, every kid can play chess and we have produced World Cup winners.”
President Ilham Aliyev’s late father even described the Azerbaijanis and Turks as one nation with two countries.
But Mammodov did say: “I think for Wales vs Switzerland, whoever is more active socially with the local people will earn more support.”
And there will be plenty of time for that with bars in Baku open as normal, rules around wearing masks outside scrapped and pints costing £1.50.

Turkey can expect a lot of support in AzerbaijanCredit: AP:Associated Press
Baku’s fire temple is a Unesco World Heritage SiteCredit: Getty
Wales fans are set for perfect beach weather during Euro 2020Credit: Getty – Contributor
“The great thing is it’s a holiday, not a two or three-day trip.
“Wales are here longer than any other team. They arrived [Monday] and they don’t leave until June 17.
“You can get a full taste of Baku city, the weather is wonderful and the beach is only a 25-minute drive away.”
In 2014, Atletico Madrid memorably won La Liga and reached the Champions League final in shirts with the sponsor ‘Azerbaijan: Land of Fire’ – a private venture from a rich patriot keen to boost tourism.
Mammodov said: “Land of Fire in terms of passion, in terms of history and in terms of energy.
“15 or 16 centuries ago there was a big religion of fire believers here, who built fire temples.”
The Baku Fire Temple is a Unesco World Heritage Site and one of the top tourism sites in Azerbaijan today.
But Mammodov adds: “Later we realised it was just gas and oil.”

Not that Azerbaijan has done badly out of gas and oil, with their £280m new stadium built in 2015 and hosting Chelsea vs Arsenal in the 2019 Europa League final.
But in the longer term Azerbaijan wants to qualify for major tournaments rather than just hosting them.
Mammodov said: “This is one of our dreams and my personal dream.
“Until now, we have been a country of individual sports. Wrestling, judo, karate, chess… and refereeing.
“Tofiq Bahramov, who you call the ‘Russian linesman’ that won England the 1966 World Cup, was actually from Azerbaijan. His grandson worked with us at the AFFA until recently.
The ‘Russian linesman’ from the 1966 World Cup final Tofiq Bahramov is honoured with a statue outside the stadium named after him in BakuCredit: Getty Images – Getty

“We are working for qualification and trying to achieve it.
“We’re laying the foundations with the achievements of Qarabag, Neftchi and Gabala – three clubs playing in the Europa League group stage.
“So I think it won’t be long until our national team is seen at a European Championship.”
For now however, hosting Wales, Switzerland and especially Turkey will more than do. More

PREMIER LEAGUE referee Michael Oliver has been chosen as one of England’s representatives at Euro 2020.A familiar face to English football fans, Oliver is one of 18 officials appointed by the Uefa Referees’ Committee and will take part in his first major international tournament.
Michael Oliver was in charge of Sheffield United’s controversial game against Aston Villa when the Blades clearly had a goal not given that was over the lineCredit: AFP
It will cap off a long but productive season for the 36-year-old, who officiated in every matchday of the top flight season and took charge of May’s FA Cup final as Leicester beat Chelsea.
Who is Michael Oliver?
Born in Ashington, Northumberland, Oliver began refereeing at the age of 14 after being introduced to it by his father.
By 2007 he became the youngest referee to officiate at Wembley stadium when he whistled the Conference National play-off final.
Oliver continued to break records becoming the youngest ever Football League referee and youngest Premier League fourth official.
Michael Oliver awarded a controversial penalty to Real Madrid against Juventus in 2018 and sent off Gianluigi BuffonCredit: REUTERS
Michael Oliver took charge of Blackburn’s game with Birmingham in 2010 when he was just 25 years oldCredit: PA:Empics Sport
In 2010, Oliver became the youngest ever Prem referee at the age of 25 years and 182 days old when he officiated Birmingham City’s game with Blackburn Rovers.
He was selected for Champions League duty in 2016 where he took charge of three group stage games.
Oliver was caught up in controversy in April 2018 when he refereed to Champions League quarter final second leg between Real Madrid and Juventus.
In injury time and with the aggregate score level at 3-3, Oliver awarded Real Madrid a controversial penalty and, in the melee, sent off Juventus Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

In the aftermath, police investigated threatening messages sent to Oliver’s wife after her phone number was leaked on social media.
Buffon was rapped for his explosive post-match interview.
The Italian legend clearly let himself down when he said: “The team gave their all, but a human being cannot destroy dreams like that at the end of an extraordinary comeback on a dubious situation.
“The referee has a trashcan where his heart should be.
“On top of that, if you don’t have the character to walk on a pitch like this in a stadium like this, you can sit in the stands with your wife, your kids, drinking your Sprite and eating crisps.”
What games is he taking charges of at Euro 2020?
This has not yet been confirmed but he is expected to officiate in the group stages of the tournament.
Is Michael Oliver allowed to take charge of England games at Euro 2020?
No.
Referees are not allowed to officiate matches involving the team from their association, the same as applies in Champions League and Europa League matches. More

ROMANIAN referee Ovidiu Hategan just the medicine for any controversies at this summer’s European Championships – given he is a qualified doctor.The 40-year-old took charge of European ties involving Liverpool, Manchester United and Rangers over the past year.
Ovidiu Hategan shows Wales’ Connor Roberts a red card during the Dragons’ 2022 World Cup qualifier against Czech Republic
Hategan also refereed the first leg of the Champions League quarter final between Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund in April, controversially ruling out a Jude Bellingham goal for the Germans.
He has also been investigated over failing to implement claims of racism and was the referee during one of last season’s most controversial matches.
Who is Ovidiu Hategan?
Born in Arad, Hategan initially graduated in medicine and later worked as a GP in his homeland.
After switching to refereeing, Hategan was given his big break in 2006 where he whistled in Romania’s Liga 1.
By 2008 he became a Fifa listed referee and four years later, made his bow in the Champions League group stage.
Why was Hategan investigated by Uefa?
In 2013, Hategan became embroiled in controversy when the then Uefa President Michel Platini called for an investigation after Hategan failed to apply the protocol for dealing with alleged racial chanting aimed at Yaya Toure during CSKA Moscow’s game with Manchester City.
Hategan was later cleared of any blame.
Hategan broke down in tears after Holland’s draw with Germany – it was later revealed he found out at half time his mother had died
During a Nations League game between Netherlands and Germany in 2018, Hategan was informed at half-time that his mother had passed away.
After being given the option to be replaced, he chose to continue and officiate the second half.
Visibly upset, Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk consoled Hategan at the end of the game.
In 2018 Hategan was also dropped from the Fifa World Cup referees list after admitting a mistake, wrongly awarding Switzerland a penalty kick in their win over Northern Ireland, which denied Michael O’Neil’s side a shot at the finals.
Hategan was also embroiled in controversy last year when he sent off Istanbul Basaksehir assistant coach Pierre Webo.
Cameroonian Webo claimed his fourth official Sebastian Coltescu called him “the black one” on the bench during a Champions League game between Istanbul Basaksehir and Paris Saint-Germain.
Coltescu was later suspended for the rest of the season after BOTH sets of players walked off the pitch before the game was finished a day later.
Istanbul Basaksehir assistant Pierre Webo accused Hategan’s fourth official of calling him ‘the black one’ before the official was suspendedCredit: EPA

What games is he taking charges of at Euro 2020?
This has not yet been confirmed but he is expected to officiate in the group stages of the tournament. More