Uefa Bans PFK Turan Tovuz from Conference League Over Match-Fixing Allegations
Azerbaijani football club PFK Turan Tovuz faces a significant setback as it has been barred from competing in next season's Conference League due to a ruling by Uefa. The announcement, made on Wednesday, highlights the club's involvement in activities aimed at influencing match outcomes. The chair of Uefa's Appeals Body confirmed that Turan Tovuz did not meet the admission criteria, stating they were “directly and/or indirectly involved in activity aimed at arranging or influencing the outcome of a match at national or international level.” This decision comes despite the club's commendable third-place finish in Azerbaijan's top flight, a position that typically secures entry into the Conference League qualifying rounds. The ban traces back to a 2019 disciplinary case where seven players from Turan Tovuz received bans from all football-related activities due to match-fixing, as imposed by the Azerbaijan Football Federation (AFFA). In a defiant response, the club emphasized: “In the 2025-26 season, we finished the season in third place, following all sporting principles, and earned the right to play in the Conference League.” They also highlighted the AFFA's previous disciplinary actions against their players. PFK Turan Tovuz intends to pursue “all legal steps” and plans to appeal Uefa's decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Despite the ban, they confirmed that there would be no changes to their preparation plans for the Conference League, with team members scheduled to gather for a training camp in Turkey this month. The upcoming season will mark the sixth edition of the Conference League, a tournament first launched in the 2021-22 season. Notably, English clubs have claimed the title three times, with West Ham winning in 2023 and Chelsea lifting the trophy last year.
Source: The Independent Sport - 2026-06-03