Azeri league back on track

Football clubs in Azerbaijan have asked to participate in the new domestic championship under auspices of the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) which will start no later than 15 October 2002.

'We will take part'
This was the most important development of a joint meeting held in Zürich, Switzerland on 20 September of a new working group composed of representatives of the AFFA, Azeri clubs, the Ministry of Youth and Tourism, FIFA and UEFA. Speaking on behalf of the ten Azeri clubs who withdrew from the league in the middle of last season, FC Neftchi spokesman Mazahir Suleymanzade said: "We are announcing we will take part in the championship."

UEFA/FIFA commission
The participants also agreed to establish a specific working group in order to prepare new AFFA statutes and new competition regulations for 2003/04. FIFA and UEFA will also assist the AFFA in improving the quality of refereeing and supporting and monitoring the new working group.

Broad discussion
There will be an AFA congress to approve the new statutes and after that a general assembly will take place to elect the new president of the AFFA as well as an executive committee. These events will take place before 15 January 2003.

Task group
The participants in the meeting in Zürich showed a positive attitude and it has been seen as a big step towards restarting the Azeri league and bringing the country's club’s back into European competition.