The president of the Independence Movement Michel Moawad stated that the battle that is being fought today in Lebanese football is not a battle for the ‘Salam Zgharta’ club only. It is the battle to bring back cleanliness and honorability to football in Lebanon in general, and to have a good football federation that takes proper care of the sport and of Lebanese youth.
Moawad noted that “the importance in football is the values that it spreads in our communities. It is thus not acceptable that our youth grow up in a world of corruption, cheating and manipulation of results.”
Moawad’s words came following a visit of solidarity he made to the headquarters of ‘Salam Zgharta’ football club, where he was received by the club’s president Father Estephan Frangieh and the members of the management committee. The visit came as a support to the club and the stance that the club’s president took in his recent press conference.
After his visit, Moawad said: “When I come to the headquarters of the ‘Salam’ club, I am at the headquarters of the club which unites all the Zgharta people, regardless of their aspirations, allegiances and strata. It is the club for which all of Zgharta has offered sacrifices. But I am not here only to defend the ‘Salam’ club, I am here also so that we all defend football as a game together. This game consists of a team, and: a management for the team, institutions that support the team, a public of fans that supports the team, and a whole community that gives its support too.” He stressed that it is not acceptable that after all these efforts put and all this energy that a large strata of the society offer, we suffer from an injustice which is due to corruption and the manipulations that take place.”
He also added: “The second matter I want to speak about, which is of a higher importance, is that it is true that football is a game, but it also represents certain values. The importance of this game and the importance of sports are the values that they spread in our communities and amongst our youth. It is thus not acceptable that our youth grow up in a world of corruption, cheating and manipulation of results. Sports should be honorable. What is happening presently is not acceptable. This is not in the interest of Lebanese football.” He continued: “We are seeing were the actions of the Lebanese Federation of Football is leading the game: Each year it is going backwards more and more.”
Moawad concluded: “The battle that is being fought is not a battle for the ‘Salam Zgharta’ club only. It is the battle to bring back cleanliness and honorability to football in Lebanon, and to have a good federation that takes proper care of the sport and of Lebanese youth.
Father Estephan Frangiyeh
The president of the ‘Salam’ club, Father Estephan Frangieh then spoke. He thanked Moawad “for standing by our side and granting support. The ‘Salam’ club is for the whole of Zgharta and the region, for each person who loves sports in Lebanon. Today, we are not speaking in our name only as a club, but we speak in the name of the many other Lebanese clubs that showed solidarity with us after we spoke loudly. The results in the Lebanese game are moving backwards and so are the performances of the Federation.”
Addressing the Federation, he said: “We are not against you, but we ask that your actions improve and that you deal with the referees that make mistakes and harm us and other clubs. We are surprised that great clubs are relegated to the 3rd and 4th divisions and no one seems to care. This was admitted by circular # 12/2017 that mentioned that there is manipulations and suspicious betting. The notice also revealed that security during the games is lacking, and the same for the stadiums.” He added: “We ask ourselves, what is the solution and where is the cure? If they are not able to deal with all these mistakes, let them step down and give others the chance to do the job properly. We say this with all respect and love. They are our friends, but the interests of our youth and our children are the most important.”
He also invited all the clubs “that share our convictions to get in touch with us so that we work as one hand and one voice. The game of Football does not belong to any one in particular. It belongs to the youth and children of Lebanon. It helps them build their dreams, so they grow in healthy bodies and healthy minds. It teaches them teamwork, and to learn how to win and how to lose.” He added: “We accept defeat, but when it is fair and just. Not when it happens in twisted ways. Our worry is not that we get relegated to the 2nd division, but we join the common cause of all the clubs that face injustice, and of any person in the game or any other sports that loses his rights.”
Father Frangieh concluded by thanking “Michel Beik Moawad for his support and every noble person and anyone who loves sports.” He also had a message for all politicians, reminding them that “Sports is an essential matter that should be included in their Elections’ programs for the good of our youth. The dreams of our children should not be sacrificed. Their dreams are a duty for us to preserve, and we will keep defending them to offer them a beautiful game of football and have for them a Federation that is fair and works for the good of this sports in Lebanon.”
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