UEFA bans team from Conference League over match-fixing allegations

UEFA has banned Azerbaijani club Turan Tovuz from participating in European competitions for the upcoming season, specifically excluding them from the 2026/27 Conference League. This decision stems from an older match-fixing case that continues to affect the club.

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We finished 3rd in the 2025-26 season, following all sporting principles, and earned the right to compete in the Conference League, which we are entitled to.

Despite the team qualifying for the tournament's preliminary rounds by finishing third in the league, UEFA's disciplinary committee determined they did not meet the participation criteria. The European football confederation imposed the penalty, effectively barring them from competition.

Turan Tovuz has announced its intention to fight the ruling. The club stated it will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to overturn the decision. They emphasized that their preparations for European competitions will continue as normal until a final resolution is reached.

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We want to announce that our club will take all necessary legal steps from today and will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to change the decision and ensure our participation in the Conference League, where we qualified by adhering to all sporting principles.

In their official statement, the club detailed that the UEFA Disciplinary Committee investigated their compliance with criteria, referencing a December 13, 2019, decision by the AFFA Disciplinary Committee. That earlier decision had banned seven of their players from all football-related activities. Turan Tovuz is resolute in pursuing legal avenues to ensure their participation in the Conference League, for which they qualified by adhering to all sporting principles.

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We would also like to inform you that there is no change in our preparation plans for the Conference League. This month, the team members will gather and go to Turkey for preparation.