Azeri pair join exodus
Tuesday, January 7, 2003
Article summary
Azerbaijan internationals Ilham Yadullayev and Farrukh Ismaylov have crossed the border to join an Iranian club.
Article body
Exodus of talent
The FC Karabakh-Azersun duo have joined the exodus of talent across the border by signing for the Sanat-Neft club. Both men have agreed six-month deals.
Azeri clubs expelled
The Azeri First Division, or Yuksek Deste, came to a halt in April 2002 and, despite the efforts of football's world and European governing bodies, FIFA and UEFA, to get it restarted, it remains at a standstill. UEFA consequently expelled Azeri clubs from European competition in the 2002/03 season.
One-way traffic
Yadullayev and Ismaylov's international team-mates Khagani Mamedov and Fizuli Mamedov recently transferred to the Iranian team Mashinsazi, while last autumn another Iranian club, Traktorstazi, imported four Azeri players.
