http://www.armenews.com/article.php3?id_article=90762 This mysterious Mr. Mammadov Associated Gervais Martel for the resumption of RC Lens, the Azerbaijani businessman invests in football for the international promotion of the Republic of the Caucasus. Jean-Pierre PAPIN, who accompanied Gervais Martel to Baku last September to meet Hafiz Mammadov, came back impressed. "Rich people I have crossed, tells former Ballon d'Or France reading l. It doesn't show and rest easy and affordable, not at all bl ng bling. But when one enters his Office, you enter another world. "There rattling screens the flow control of pipeline at the four corners of the world. With his large mustache and his embarrassed smile, businessman azeri (*) is not a hommeexpressif.Forty-eight years, yet became very active for a year on the stage of European football. After first agreements commercial and recreational with Atletico Madrid and FC Porto, it shall become co-owner with Gervais Martel of the RC Lens to July 1 if the agreement with the Credit farm north of France (CANF), majority shareholder, is definitely finalized (see elsewhere). This arrival turns the spotlight on this pet businessman size te. And a young Republic of nine million inhabitants, independent at the end of the collapse of the Soviet bloc in August 1991. The Azerbaijan benefits from raw material resources (oil, gas), which helped its economic development by the end of the 1990s. This sudden rise in a State training has been a source of significant wealth for local entrepreneurs, like Hafiz Mammadov. Originally from the Nakhchivan exclave separated by the Armenia (see map) Azeri and stronghold of the family of the current president IIham Aliyev, this father of three children studied economics and accounting at the University of Baku, the country's future capital. This academic background led him to work in public administration and in the banking sector at the time of the independence of the country. In 1998, he founded the financial company Baghlan Trading, based in Dubai, which became Baghlan Group five years later. Hafiz Mammadov then diversified activity which includes the construction and the equipment, in connection with the oil industry and the State company SOCAR, and transportation (taxis and buses from Baku). Workaholic, surrounded by guards body and lawyers in all genres, he juggles with his seven phones and speaks three languages (Azerbaijani, Russian English). Muslim, it respects the cult and does not work on Friday. From his offices in London or Swiss, it takes only its decisions. Taking advantage of the strong and steady Baghlan group growth (+ 10% in 2012), the head of company amassed a personal fortune that the lack of financial transparency in the country does not allow to establish with precision, but that can be estimated beyond the EUR 1 billion. But, despite this financial weight and this quasi status of head of State, HafizMammadov is not an oligarch on the model of Roman Abramovich, Russian owner of Chelsea, or Dimitri Rybolovlev, his counterpart in Monaco. Azeri, that moves by limping following a hip problem, owes his rank to its relations with political power. Very close to the Minister of transport Ziya Mammadov, unrelated, president of Baghlan Group is one of its leading men of trust, responsible for managing its assets. Interest in sport and football materializes in 2004. Hafiz Mammadov takes control of the Baku FC, national Champion in 2006 and 2009, and sits on the Azeri football Federation. "The arrival of oligarchs in football is a political will," says Raphaëlle Mathey, specialist of the country. Sport vehicle the apology of a strong nation. "This investment do t be exported internationally and made Mammadov figure spokesman for the movement. In December 2012, he negotiated a sponsorship deal with Atletico Madrid Jersey, accompanied by an agreement of training between the two countries. Last month, it was with FC Porto that the Azerbaijanis negotiate sports links. Before you invest soon in England (Sunderland?). «This quimefrappe, it is his obsession for its cause: the kids of the country, ensures Jocelyn Blanchard, former sporting Director of Lens, in permanent contact with the right arm of Mammadov, M. Elmaddin.» He knows how a club and how advance players of his country through exchange of expertise and the Organization of training courses. "The entourage of Gervais Martel continues to extol the qualities of home of the businessman, connoisseur of French history and L 1, but on time for appointments, lack of time rarely. "He received me as a father, says Blanchard still. '' He never lets his interlocutor on the tile. "This intelligence and this empathy are not devoid of intention since the France is one of the key countries for the execut Azerbaijani f (see the team of 15 June). To counter the presence in France of a large Armenian community, in conflict with the Azerbaijan (see also), is also an objective in this struggle for influence. Questioned l three weeks ago by its national press, Hafiz Mammadov already very well imagine the realisation of this investment: "I think that the Azerbaijani flag will be raised on the stage of Lens. GUILLAUME MOREL and JOEL DOMENIGHETTI HENAULT (*) The inhabitants of the Azerbaijan are called Azerbaijanis. The azeri term defines the language and ethnic group majority (90% +) of the country. Papin: "Not as much criticism with Russian investment in France. The announcement of a Martel-Mammadov duo for the resumption of the artesian club provoked the indignation of the French of the Armenian cause Office (BFCA) that since three weeks, sent two press releases, one destined to Luc Dayan, the current President of Lens. The BFCA puts forward "numerous violations of human rights that have earned the title of world champion of the corruption in 2012 (an international NGO) Ilham Aliyev (Azerbaijani president)" and the ties between the Executive Branch and Hafiz Mammadov. Jean-Pierre Papin, who could be responsible for the detection of young Azerbaijanis in Baku, has responded to this controversy: "I understand the reaction of the Armenians, taking into account the historical context. But we must stop the amalgam. I do not mean as much criticism with Russian investment in France. In England, everyone is glad that investments benefit fans, to the club in the city. "The Azerbaijan maintains no diplomatic relationship with its neighbour Armenia, countries with whom it has territorial disputes. - G.H.-M. and J.D. The team's June 19, 2013 Saturday, June 22, 2013 Stéphane © armenews.com
