AFFA Licensing Group: Maximum 10 teams will play in Premier League next season

Baku. 27 April. REPORT.AZ/ “I don’t believe that 12 clubs will participate in Azerbaijan Premier League next year. As some clubs are in search for sponsors, it is impossible to utter exact number right now. Our prediction concerning the number: minimum 8, maximum 10 clubs”.

Head of AFFA Licensing Group Elchin Mammadov told Report.

E.Mammadov told that the problem arisen with regard to number and composition of elite participants is finance-related: “Finance is a key issue here. Especially, I Division clubs have problems. They must prove that they have enough income to participate in the elite league. Some club officials even made media statements that they have difficulties with finding sponsors. May be they will provide bank guaranty until commission’s meeting in May. More than four I Division teams want to play in Premier League. We are aware of ability of some of them to provide bank guaranty. But I cannot disclose their names. Majority of Premier League Clubs have already provided financial documents. Some of them have shortcomings and we expect that they will solve them”.

Notably, 2016/2017 football season in I Division wraps up today and in Premier League on April 29. But there is still uncertainty concerning number and composition of clubs to play in elite league next season. Charter of 2016/2017 season indicates that the club ending the season at last position must leave the Premier League and first 3 clubs of I Division (if they meet license requirements) should qualify to elite. It is officially confirmed that AZAL will take the last position in Premier League and the “Turan Tovuz” finished at the top of I Division.