UEFA CANCEL ARMENIA V AZERBAIJAN EURO QUALIFIERS

Radio New Zealand, New Zealand
June 24 2007

Two Euro 2008 Group A matches between Armenia and Azerbaijan have
been cancelled, with both countries losing the six qualifying points
available.

The neighbouring countries have been involved in a long-running
dispute over land.

Armenia wanted the games played on a normal home and away basis
but Azerbaijan refused to play host to the Armenians and proposed a
neutral ground for both encounters.

European soccer’s governing body UEFA said in a statement as no
suitable compromise could be found between the two associations it
was decided to cancel the two matches.

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.