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.
>>> Ethan Armstrong Named Gatorade Michigan Baseball Player of the Year
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.
>>> Liverpool Face Centre-Forward Crisis Ahead of 2026/27 Season
"The UEFA Disciplinary Committee conducted an investigation into whether our club met the criteria.
