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AFFA Certified for UEFA Club Licensing Quality Standard for the 2025-2026 Season

December 26, 2025

The Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) has once again demonstrated its strong commitment to good governance and high professional standards in football administration. Following the results of an independent audit conducted by SGS, AFFA has been officially certified as compliant with the UEFA Club Licensing Quality Standard (Edition 2025).

The certification is valid for the 2025–2026 season and covers the full scope of the club licensing system and club monitoring process related to participation in UEFA competitions. This recognition confirms AFFA’s right to continue carrying out the club licensing process for Azerbaijani clubs seeking to compete at the European level.

A Mark of Quality and Trust

The UEFA Club Licensing Quality Standard sets out strict requirements that national licensors must meet in order to operate a fair and reliable licensing system. Through this certification, AFFA’s Club Licensing Department has proven that it fully respects key principles such as transparency, consistency, confidentiality and independence throughout the licensing process.

This certificate confirms that AFFA’s club licensing system is fully aligned with UEFA’s quality requirements. It reflects AFFA’s long-term commitment to maintaining high governance standards in European football.

Nigar Aliyeva, Business Assurance Business Manager, SGS Azerbaijan

Nigar Aliyeva

A Decade of Continuous Compliance

This achievement is not a one-off success. AFFA has been undergoing SGS audits for the past 10 years, demonstrating a long-term commitment to maintaining and improving its licensing processes.

As an independent certification body approved by UEFA, SGS conducts annual assessments of national licensing authorities. These audits thoroughly review the Licensing Department’s procedures, documentation and implementation of requirements, ensuring full compliance with the UEFA Club Licensing Quality Standard year after year.

AFFA’s continued certification confirms that Azerbaijani clubs are evaluated under the same rigorous framework as clubs from other UEFA member associations, strengthening confidence in the overall licensing process.

About SGS

SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.

Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, Bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.

SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW).

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