Recently, Mirsad Jonuz – the coach of the Macedonian U21 national team stated that he contacted Robert Stambolziev who rejected his offer to play for Macedonia. Stambolziev denied these statements by Mr Jonuz and once again expressed his great wish to play for Macedonia.
Robert Stambolziev is Australian born football player of Macedonian heritage who is currently playing for the Bristol City Academy and Reserves. On couple of ocasions for MacedonianFootball.com he stated his great wish to play for the country of his origin and he has been waiting for a chance by the Macedonian youth national teams coaches for nine months.
On 28/10/2008, Mirsad Jonuz – the coach of the Macedonian U21 national team, in an interview for one newspaper, claimed that he contacted Robert Stambolziev who rejected his offer to play for Macedonia. MacedonianFootball.com contacted Stambolziev who confirmed us that those statements by Mr Mirsad Jonuz are not true.
– I have not had any direct contact from anyone from the Macedonian Football Federation. For this reason, I was disappointed to read that the article in Vreme states that I have rejected the opportunity to play for Macedonia. I am not saying that I have done enough to warrant a position in the Macedonian youth team as there would be many talented Macedonian young players playing in the Macedonian youth leagues and in other countries. However I would like to have the opportunity to show Mr Jonuz, the other Macedonian coaches and the Macedonian people that I deserve the opportunity to play for Macedonia and maybe one day play alongside Pandev and the other Macedonian national team players. Recently, I have been trying to concentrate on my football with Bristol City and in gaining a professional contract, however would be honoured to trial with the Macedonian youth team under Mr Jonuz, said Stambolziev.