Azeri assistance for Spartak-Alania

Immediate protest
The defensive midfield player has penned a two-year deal, sparking an immediate protest from FC Neftchi. The player was allowed to move to Spartak-Alania on a free transfer under an Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) ruling allowing any Azeri players to move abroad on free transfers while the domestic league remains stalled.

League stalled
The league has been on hold since April 2002 due to a dispute between AFFA and its clubs. The controversial AFFA ruling has already allowed a number of Azeri players to cross the border and join teams in Iran, while internationals Kyamal Guliyev, Samir Aliyev and Jahangir Hasanzade have all joined Ukrainian side FC Volyn Lutsk.

Neftchi angry
"AFFA have breached our rights, as was the case with [Kyamal] Guliyev and Aliyev," said Neftchi spokesman Mazahir Suleymanzade. "We could make a complaint to the Russian Football Union [RFU], but we do not want to hinder the player's future."

Azeri heritage
Emin Guliyev, meanwhile, has become the fourth Azeri player to join the Vladikavkaz side since Russian independence. In 1995, Nazim Suleymanov was the Russian top flight's leading scorer and led his side to the title. Dmitri Kramarenko and Arif Asadov palyed for the club in the 1990s, while - back in the Soviet Union days - current Neftchi coach, Kazbek Tuayev, was player-coach at Spartak-Alania in 1970.

'Great charisma'
"Spartak-Alania are an ambitious side, facing serious challenges ahead of them," said Guliyev. "I will try to win a regular place there, and I am happy to make such a move." His new coach, Revaz Dzodzuashvili, added: "Now, everthing depends on Emin himself. He is a versatile player and has great charisma."