A crisis erupted in Azerbaijani soccer in April 2002 when clubs in the top league halted the national league and demanded the resignation of the President of the Azerbaijan Federation of Football Associations (AFFA) Fuad Musayev. Aiming to assist in overcoming this crisis, a working group was created with the participation of representatives of FIFA, UEFA, AFFA, two soccer clubs and the ministry of sports. At a September 2002 session in Zurich, an agreement to resume the championship under the aegis of AFFA was achieved. The conditions of this agreement were nevertheless not followed, and the conflict in Azerbaijani soccer raged on until April 2003, when FIFA decided to disqualify AFFA. This led to the isolation of Azerbaijani soccer, thwarting Azerbaijani participation in international soccer competitions.

AFFA’s sixth selection conference in December 2003 selected Ramiz Mirzoyev, director of the \"Azerneftyagh\" oil refining factory and head of the \"Neftchi\" soccer club as its chairman. This proved the end of Fuad Musayev\'s 11-year rule in Azerbaijani soccer.

In a short period of time, an inventory of all soccer facilities was undertaken. The number of stadiums, professional and amateur soccer players, clubs, coaches, referees etc. was established. Finally, a State program for the development of soccer until 2008 was adopted. Old stadiums were now rapidly refurbished and several new ones were constructed with technical and financial support of executive authorities, municipalities, state organizations, as well as private structures.

Special attention has been attached to the development of soccer in the regions. In large regional centers, conditions for the development of professional level soccer have been created. In Shamkir, Tovuz, Yevlakh, Imishli and Quba, stadiums meeting all international standards have been built. Plans are under way to renovate stadiums in Sumgait, Ganja, Lenkoran and Mingechevir in the near future. Pitches with artificial covering are now widespread. AFFA is also striving for the realization of UEFA requirements to license soccer clubs. Each club of the top league is obliged to have its own base, a stadium meeting European standards, communication facilities, press services, an Internet-site and a bank account.

AFFA president Mirzoyev now works on improving the quality of soccer in the country. Plans were made to invite qualified trainers and players from abroad to Azerbaijan. Hence the captain of Brazil’s 1970 national team Alberto Carlos Torres was invited to became the coach of Azerbaijan’s national team. Under his management, the national team of Azerbaijan has played 10 games – 4 official selection games for the 2006 world championship and 6 friendly games. It has won two, drawed four and lost four. Alberto Carlos’ contract expires in February 2005, however Mirzoyev has said it is likely to be extended.

The next significant event was the two-day visit to Baku of a FIFA delegation led by its president Joseph Blatter, with former French soccer star Michel Platini, and other functionaries of the world soccer organization. The high-ranking visitors were received by President Ilham Aliyev, who awarded Mr. Blatter with an award of \"Glory\". In his turn, Blatter proposed to hold the championship for 17-year olds in Azerbaijan. This visit coincided with the successive arrival in Baku of the Northern Irish and English national teams, for selection games ahead of the 2006 world cup. Meanwhile, a monument to the glorified Azerbaijani referee Tofik Bahramov was inaugurated in the main soccer arena of Azerbaijan. Bahramov was a referee in the 1966 World Cup final between England and Germany.

Sports observers contend that the new leadership in AFFA’s management have given a new impetus to the development of soccer in Azerbaijan. Everyone expects soccer to develop fast in the country. Whether Azerbaijan will make headway toward the 2006 World Cup in coming games, however, is too early to say.