Shamkir miss out on Europe

FC Shamkir will not be offered a place in the UEFA Champions League despite taking the Azerbaijani title.

Shamkir take title
Shamkir took the title in the Azerbaijani alternative league after a 4-1 win against FC Khazar University on Tuesday but the Association of Football Federations (AFFA) has refused to recognise the title, and will not nominate Shamkir for Champions League place.

Neftchi thwarted
FC Neftchi were favourites to win the title, but they lost 1-0 at home against FC Karabakh-Azersun on the last day of the alternative league, which was played after ten out of the eleven Azeri clubs in the Yuksek Deste declared a boycott of the AFFA and set up a league of their own.

'The best side in Azerbaijan'
"Shamkir is truly the best side in Azerbaijan," said happy Shamkir coach Gahraman Aliev.

'We refuse to recognise this championship'
However the AFFA's general secretary Chingiz Ismaylov said: "We refuse to recognise this championship, as it was played without the participation of AFFA. We have an offer to continue the official league, which should have started on 24 May, but it was not accepted."

Barred from Europe
Shamkir and Neftchi would both have been nominated for places in Europe after their achievements this season were it not for the disagreements with the AFFA, but the association has said that, due to the current situation, neither will be nominated for a place at the moment. However, the clubs and AFFA are still trying to find a compromise agreement which would see Azeri teams competing in Europe next season.