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Azerbaijani Sambo wrestler Bakhtiyar Abbasov, who had taken 3rd place in the World Cup in Moscow, apologized to the winner of the Cup, the Armenian sportsman Ashot Danielyan, for demonstratively squatting during the Armenian anthem after the winners awarding, Armenpress reports citing Levon Hayrapetyan, the President of the Armenian Sambo Federation. He stated that the representative of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Russia also came up to him and apologized assuring that they would work with the sportsman.

After the statement was published by the Armenian media, Abbasov and his coach tried to make excuses to their compatriots and made contradicting statements. 

The head coach of the Azerbaijani Sambo national team, Yagub Abdullayev, told the Azerbaijani outlet Sportbox.az that Bakhtiyar squatted because he felt bad at that moment.

However, according to Oxu.az, Bakhtiyar Abbasov himself admitted that the tournament was held in a city where “many Armenians live,” and he squatted on purpose.

“Even if the situation repeats, I will not stand up again. I have taken part in many competitions and always listened to the anthems of other countries. Yet, I cannot listen to the Armenian anthem on foot. If any Azerbaijani remained standing, it means he is not an Azerbaijani. This is my personal opinion,” the Azerbaijani sportsman claimed and pointed out that he had no pain or any complaint, he just squatted when the Armenian anthem started to play. 

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