“The European means united us. Ahead to Europe! Peace to Georgia,” Khvicha Kvaratskhelia— winger for Serie A membership Napoli and a scorer for the nationwide group within the legendary win towards Portugal — wrote on Fb in April, as Georgians had been holding protests towards the “overseas agent regulation.”
Many different gamers from the Georgian nationwide group adopted swimsuit. The ruling Georgian Dream occasion has largely been cautious in responding to such resistance, conscious of the athletes’ recognition.
Nonetheless, they didn’t utterly let it slide. Secretary Normal of Georgian Dream Kakha Kaladze— an instance of an athlete-turned-politician who performed soccer for A.C. Milan — was fast to answer one Georgian nationwide group participant, who posted his help for the pro-EU protests towards the overseas agent regulation.
Giorgi Kochorashvili, a central midfielder for Spanish membership Levante UD and the nationwide group, had reposted a photograph from an anti-foreign agent regulation rally. Kaladze responded by telling journalists that Kochorashvili’s father, who additionally supported the demonstrations, was “Natsi” — a derogatory time period for the opposition United Nationwide Motion occasion, usually rolled out by Georgian Dream to discredit opponents.
Because the election has nears, Georgian Dream has made extra direct efforts to affiliate themselves with soccer stars.
After their profitable efficiency at Euro 2024, Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili donated 30 million Georgian lari (€10 million) to the nationwide soccer group.
To the frustration of the opposition, 4 gamers from the nationwide group have not too long ago appeared in a Georgian Dream marketing campaign advert.
Come Saturday, it’s all to play for.
