'Lukashenka Is In League With Putin - He Can't Avoid Falling Too'

The Georgian footballer talked about the black list of footballers and the situation in Belarus.

In recent days, the football club "Nioman" has been on everyone's lips. And not only because the club will soon play in the Conference League, and will take a bus to a match against Vaduz from Liechtenstein. The main thing is the detention of the famous former striker and athletic director Dzmitry Kavalenka for "extremist" subscriptions. He was quickly released but, judging by recent reports, has already been sacked from the club. One of those who reacted sharply to Kavalenka's detention was former Neman representative 26-year-old Giorgi Kantaria. He played in Hrodna for five years (2017-2021). Zerkalo journalists found out from the defender of Georgian club "Telavi" what he thinks about the black list of players, the situation in Belarus, the Russians in Georgia and the future of his country.

"Kavalenka Is A Patriot Of Belarus"

- What is your opinion of Kavalenka?

- Dzima is a legend of "Nioman" (Kavalenok scored 68 goals for "Nioman" in the premier league of the Belarusian championship - it is the second index in the club's history. - Editor's note). He is a very good man. I have always respected him, we`ve been friends. Kavalenka is a patriot of Belarus. It hurts that he had to survive the detention.

- Do you assume that one of your players could denounce him?

- I`m not in the team, so it`s hard to say. But when I played for "Nioman", everything was ok. We supported each other and were responsible for everything together.

- "Dzima, hang in there. Everything will fall apart soon," you wrote, commenting on Kavalenka`s detention. Do you really believe that the regime in Belarus will collapse?

- Sure I do. Russia will collapse first, and then Belarus will follow. After all, Lukashenka is in the league with Putin - he cannot avoid his fall, too.

- You played for "Nioman" for five years. What's wrong with our football, in your opinion?

- We used to have a pretty strong championship, some good foreign players came. I remember those times with pleasure. Now Belarus lacks people who know how to develop football. The results of the national team and clubs in European competitions speak for themselves. In addition, as far as I can see, few Belarusians play abroad in strong teams. Without competition with the best, there is no growth.

"Everyone Has The Right To An Opinion"

- Have you heard that almost 50 players in Belarus are on the black list and can't play, including Nioman players?

- Yes, I know. This is also one of the reasons why the Belarusian football has degraded. The players who have become undesirable have done nothing criminal. They love their homeland. Football players supported peaceful people by speaking out against violence, and this is the right thing to do. I saw the protests in Hrodna with my own eyes and I remember everything very well.

- How did you feel about the events after the elections in 2020?

- My heart ached for the Belarusians. People expressed their opinions against the dictatorship that is unthinkable in the XXI century. Everything is changing. Nobody wants to return to the USSR, except for Lukashenka and Putin. The latter will definitely be remembered as an enemy of civilization.

- Maybe you were offered to sign a pro-government letter?

- No. I was a legionary. And everyone knew my opinion on the matter, which I did not hide.

- Should the players and athletes in general speak out on various sensitive topics?

- Of course. First and foremost, we are citizens of our country. And in the second place - the sportsmen. Everyone has the right to have an opinion, which is guaranteed by the constitution. An athlete without a viewpoint - it's strange to me.

- How did the Belarusians treat you?

- They were fine. No problems in five years. The Belarusians seemed like kind people. I liked everything in your country, except politics.

"Georgia Is Europe"

- After the war in Ukraine a lot of Russians came to Georgia.

- Yes, a lot of refugees. They were received well in Georgia. We understood why they were fleeing from Russia. By the way there were those who did not even know the history of relationship between the two countries. They were not aware of the war, after which Russia occupied South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Well, we had to tell them where they had got to.

- And what was the reaction?

- Some were ashamed, some did not care. And some just did not want to talk about war and politics. I did not clash with anyone. I expressed my position, but if people thought otherwise, that was their choice. I just will not communicate with those who support war and killing of civilians.

- But surely there are those in Georgia who still want to have closer relations with the aggressor.

- Unfortunately, not everything is good with our authorities either. But people have spoken clearly about where the country should go. I think 90% of Georgians are for joining EU as we have shown many times. Georgia is Europe.

- Has your attitude towards Belarusians changed after the war in Ukraine?

- I have many acquaintances and friends from Belarus. They all support Ukraine. There are no questions to them. It's a pity that many Belarusians had to flee the regime after the protests, including to Georgia. However, nationality is not important for me. There are also adequate Russians. And vice versa, there are bad people in every country.

- How do you see the future of Georgia?

- We are not the richest country, but we have everything for living. Not everybody is well off, of course. We should boost economy. The main thing for Georgia is to join NATO and the EU. I think this will happen, even if it will take some time. We do not want any alliance with Russia or another USSR.