Cup chaos in Azerbaijan

A number of top-flight clubs have continued their protest against the running of the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) by refusing to participate in today's Azeri Cup quarter-finals.

Competition in turmoil
One of the last-eight encounters was already decided after FC Shafa were handed a bye following the expulsion from the league by the AFFA of their opponents, FC Khazar University. However, like the league, the competition is now in turmoil following FC Shamkir's announcement that they would not travel to Sumgait to tackle FC Karabakh-Azersun. The clubs contesting the remaining ties - FC Neftchi at FC Shahdag Qusar, and the visit of FC Kapaz to FC Turan - also refused to field teams as news of a breakaway league emerged today.

Committee formed
The nine clubs involved in the boycott have formed a committee, to be chaired by legendary Dinamo Moscow forward Alekper Mamedov, and plan to arrange matches between themselves after withdrawing from the AFFA-organised Yuksek Deste. They will meet on 29 April to discuss the formation of a new league, which Shafa and Shamkir, the two clubs yet to pull out of the championship, have been invited to join.

Crippling crisis
The clubs have also sent a joint letter to UEFA and FIFA informing the governing bodies of the crisis currently crippling football in Azerbaijan.