The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has initiated an investigation to find out the reasons why Armenian chess player Maria Gevorgyan has been deprived of an opportunity to participate in an ongoing international tournament in Turkey.
Gevorgyan was invited to the Buruciye International Chess
Tournament in Sivas (Turkey), and her travel arrangements had already been made,
but the invitation was withdrawn on the grounds of her nationality.
FIDE said in a
statement they initiated an inquiry ex-officio as soon as this incident came to
their knowledge, and a formal complaint was received shortly after from the
Armenian Chess Federation.
“We will ensure that this situation is promptly investigated,
and we will hear the explanations from all the parties involved,” the
Federation said.
“FIDE was founded
under the motto “Gens Una Sumus”: we are one family. Discrimination
based on race, religion, ethnicity or nationality goes not only against FIDE
policy but also against the most basic sportive principles, and will not be
tolerated,” the statement reads.
FIDE pledges to take strict measures, if the investigation confirms that the player’s rights have been violated, or she has been discriminated by her nationality.
