UEFA has banned Azerbaijani club PFK Turan Tovuz from participating in next season's Conference League following an investigation into historical match-fixing.
The decision was announced on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
The penalty was imposed under Article 4.01(g) of the Conference League regulations concerning club admission criteria.
Turan Tovuz finished third in the Azerbaijan Premier League last season, a position that would normally earn a spot in the European tournament's qualifying rounds.
The ban stems from a domestic disciplinary case dated December 13, 2019.
The Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) previously banned seven Turan Tovuz players from all football-related activities for manipulating matches during the 2019-2020 first division season.
The sanctioned players are Gojayev Sanan, Rustamov Misir, Baghirov Emin, Sadigov Ilkin, Mammadov Rufət, Taghiyev Eltay, and Guluzadeh Shahin.
Club Statement and Appeal Plans
PFK Turan Tovuz released an official statement confirming their intent to appeal the decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The club maintains that its current sporting achievements merit inclusion in continental football.
"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, which we are entitled to," the club stated.
The club explained that the historical domestic inquiry involved personnel from a previous competitive campaign who were subsequently penalized by local authorities.
"The UEFA Disciplinary Committee conducted an investigation into whether our club met the criteria.
It should be noted that the AFFA Disciplinary Committee banned seven players of our team, who played in the I Division in the 2019-20 season, from all football-related activities," the statement added.
Management confirmed that pre-season training schedules remain unaffected by the European restriction while legal proceedings are initiated.
"There are no changes in our preparation plans for the Conference League," Turan Tovuz confirmed.
The squad plans to travel abroad this month to continue its scheduled athletic preparations regardless of the UEFA ruling.
"This month, the team members will gather and go to Turkey for a training camp," the club added.
UEFA's Stance on Match-Fixing
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin reiterated the governing body's strict policy against competitive corruption.
"One of my key missions as UEFA President is to step up the campaign to protect the integrity of our sport, and to stop the manipulation of matches, illegal betting and corruption," Čeferin said.
"Match-fixing cannot and will not be tolerated, and those caught must be banned from football," he added.
The upcoming tournament marks the sixth edition of the Conference League since its inception. Crystal Palace won the most recent title by defeating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in Leipzig.
