Azeri FA excludes two clubs
Monday, April 22, 2002
Article summary
The Azerbaijani FC has ousted two clubs from the league and appointed new national coaches.
Article body
The Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) has ousted two clubs from the Yuksek Deste and appointed two new national coaches.
Settlement reached
The remaining ten first division clubs have finally reached a settlement with the national association on the eve of the deadline set by the AFFA to negotiate a solution to the crisis, which has seen nine clubs suspending their place in the championship and the national coach resigning.
Independent referees
All clubs, with the exception FC Neftchi and FC Khazar University, have agreed to return to action on the condition that more independent referees will be in charge of league games.
Neftchi and Khazar expelled
Meanwhile, AFFA president Fuad Musayev has announced that Khazar and Neftchi have been excluded from taking part in the remainder of the Azeri season. "According to our regulations, the teams that didn't show up for two consecutive league games are automatically expelled from the competition," Musayev said.
'Governed by law'
He went on to confirm his position in charge of the association, despite repeated calls for his resignation from clubs and fans. "The league will be played even if there is only one team in it," he said. "The activity of the AFFA and the election of its presidents are governed by the law, so nobody can make me resign."
Out of control
However, the crisis, which seemed to have been contained early on Monday, intensified once more this afternoon, when visitors FC Shafa took on FC Karabakh Agdam in Sumgait. Shafa were leading 1-0 at the break but police at the Mehti Huseyn-zade stadium refused to allow teams back out to play second half.
Sadygov and Mirjavadov in
Musayev also announced yesterday that Vagif Sadygov and Agasailm Mirjavadov will be the new coaches of the national team, after Kazbek Tuayev, who is also a coach of Neftchi, resigned last week. The duo will be in charge for an 'indefinite' term, according to Musayev. "We don't have enough good coaches in the country, but Sadygov and Mirjavadov are among them," he said.
