Azerbaijan-Armenia ties cancelled
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Article summary
UEFA has cancelled the two UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group A matches between Azerbaijan and Armenia with the two associations awarded no points for the games.
Article body
UEFA has cancelled the two UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group A matches between Azerbaijan and Armenia with the two associations awarded no points for the games.
No compromise
The fixtures had been due to be played in Azerbaijan on 8 September and in Armenia four days later. The UEFA Executive Committee took the decision after no compromise agreement could be reached between the two national associations amid the present political and security situation. Azerbaijan are bottom of the group with five points from eight matches, while Armenia have seven points from seven outings. Poland lead the group with 19 points from nine games.
Blood tests
Meanwhile, in the wake of UEFA's introduction of a reinforced anti-doping campaign, the Executive Committee decided to introduce blood-testing for all 31 matches at the UEFA EURO 2008™ final round in Austria and Switzerland next summer, as well as out-of competition testing for all 16 teams taking part. The UEFA Executive Committee was meeting in the Dutch town of Heerenveen ahead of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship final, won by the Netherlands.
