Aivar Pohlak (born 19 October 1962 in Tallinn, Republic of Estonia) is an Estonian football official, a former football player (striker), referee, and football coach.[1][2] Since March 2007, he has been the President of the Estonian Football Association (EJL)[1] after being its Vice President for four years.[3]

Aivar Pohlak in 2022

In 1990, Pohlak founded the FC Flora, Estonia's most successful football club, based in Tallinn.[4] In 1997, he founded the FC Kuressaare, current top-division football club based in Kuressaare.[5] In the same year, he also began to build the Lilleküla's football stadium. This is currently the Estonia's largest stadium, opened in 2001.[5] He formally handed over FC Flora to his son Pelle Pohlak in 2016, stating that they practice family-club model.[6]

Pohlak received a national award for his work in January 2002.[3][7] He also was a children's author in former times.[2]

Criticism and scandals

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Pohlak is highly criticized in Estonian media for corruption and unethical involvement with the football club FC Flora as the president of Estonian Football Association, especially with the deals the two organizations made with Lilleküla Stadium.[8][9][10][11][12]

On 30 March 2022 at a Kose municipal council meeting, Pohlak insulted and attacked another board member.[13][14]

After divorce from her ex-wife Signe, she accused Aivar Pohlak of domestic violence: humiliating and beating her throughout their marriage. The case was dismissed by criminal court for being expired.[15][16]

Personal

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In 2012, Pohlak married Triin Edasi, FC Flora information specialist. They started living together 14 years earlier and they also have a daughter.[17]

From his first marriage with Signe Meisalu, Pohlak has 4 children. The couple divorced in 2005.[17]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Estonia 'a century behind England'". The Telegraph. 5 June 2007. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Estonia emerging from the shadows of Soviets and skiing". FourFourTwo. 26 March 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Aivar Pohlak". UEFA. 2 January 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  4. ^ "FC Flora Tallinn and the Revival of Estonian Football". Futbolgrad. 20 November 2015. Archived from the original on 28 February 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Aivar Pohlak's football clubs burdened by debts". balticbusinessnews. 4 September 2008. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  6. ^ "Veerand sajandit FC Florat vedanud Aivar Pohlak annab klubi laste juhtida. "Tunnen kergendust."". Delfi. 26 May 2016.
  7. ^ "Pohlak, Aivar". ESBL. 26 May 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  8. ^ "Kustutatud laenud, tasumata intressid ja 12 miljonit sulas: saladokumendid paljastavad, kuidas Aivar Pohlak jalgpalliliidu rahaga FC Florat päästis" [Deleted loans, unpaid interest and 12 million in cash: secret documents reveal how Aivar Pohlak saved FC Flora with Football Association money]. Eesti Ekspress (in Estonian). 27 October 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  9. ^ Hindre, Madis (25 November 2022). "Indrek Kannik: ei ole mõtet võrrelda Eesti jalgpalliliitu Vene riigiga". ERR.
  10. ^ "Jalgpalliajakirjanik: FIFA ja Aivar Pohlaku võim põhineb hirmul". Äripäev.
  11. ^ "KOMMENTAAR | Kumb langeb võimult enne, kas Vladimir Putin või Aivar Pohlak?". Delfi Sport.
  12. ^ "SPORDIREPORTER ⟩ Ott Järvela: normaalses Euroopa riigis oleks Pohlak pärast Kosel juhtunut tagasi astunud". Podcast (in Estonian). 5 April 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  13. ^ "VIDEO Aivar Pohlak tõukas ja siunas vallavolikogu saadikut" [VIDEO Aivar Pohlak pushed and scolded the deputy of the municipal council]. Delfi (in Estonian). 2 April 2022.
  14. ^ "Ott Järvela: Aivar Pohlak ei saa jätkata EJL-i presidendina" [Ott Järvela: Aivar Pohlak cannot continue as the President of the EJL]. Soccernet.ee (in Estonian). 5 April 2022.
  15. ^ "Signe Pohlak: "Tajusin reaalset ohtu oma elule."" [Signe Pohlak: "I perceived a real threat to my life."]. Õhtuleht (in Estonian). 14 December 2005.
  16. ^ "Pohlak peksis ja alandas naist 20 aastat?" [Pohlak beat and humiliated his wife for 20 years?]. Delfi (in Estonian). 16 December 2004.
  17. ^ a b "Aivar Pohlak abiellus pärast 14aastast kooselu". Õhtuleht. 15 August 2012.