:Azerbaijan Premier League
{{short description|Association football league in Azerbaijan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2019}}
{{Infobox football league
| logo = Azerbaijan Premier League logo.png
| pixels = 290
| country = Azerbaijan
| confed = UEFA
| founded = {{Start date and age|1992}}
| teams = 10
| relegation = First League
| levels = 1
| pyramid = Azerbaijani football league system
| domest_cup = Azerbaijan Cup
| confed_cup = UEFA Champions League
UEFA Europa League
UEFA Conference League
| champions = Qarabağ (12th title)
| season = 2024–25
| most successful club = Qarabağ (12 titles)
| tv = CBC Sport
| website = {{URL|https://pfl.az}}
| current = 2024–25 Azerbaijan Premier League
}}
The Azerbaijan Premier League ({{langx|az|Azərbaycan Premyer Liqası}}), also known as Misli Premyer Liqası for sponsorship reasons, is a professional association football league in Azerbaijan and the highest level of the Azerbaijani football league system. It is contested by ten clubs.
Seasons run from August to May, with teams playing 36 matches each (playing each team in the league four times, twice at home and twice away). The Premier League champion secures the right to play in UEFA Champions League first qualifying round. The runner up and the 3rd-place winner secure the right to play in UEFA Europa Conference League starting in second qualifying round.
Since 1992, a total of eight clubs have been crowned champions of the Azerbaijani football system. The Azerbaijan Premier League was first organized in 2007 and succeeded the Top Division ({{langx|az|Yüksək Liqa}}), which existed from 1992 to 2007. The current champions are Qarabağ, who won the title in the 2022–23 season for the tenth time.
History
=The 1990s=
The league was dominated by teams like Qarabağ, Neftçi, Kapaz, Turan Tovuz and Shamkir. However, financial struggles had bad impact on local clubs and most teams such as Khazri Buzovna, Shamkir, Vilash Masalli and Shafa Baku went bust due increasing debts.{{cite web|title=Ölkə futbolu qara geyinməyə hazırlaşır (Yazı) |url=http://www.penalti.az/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3729:oelk-futbolu-qara-geyinmy-hazrlar-yaz&catid=9:manet&Itemid=13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827142406/https://www.penalti.az/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3729:oelk-futbolu-qara-geyinmy-hazrlar-yaz&catid=9:manet&Itemid=13 |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 August 2021 |work=Penalti.az |access-date=3 December 2011 |language=az }} Also, Qarabağ began to weaken due to financial problems. In 1997, Kapaz were known for their unbeaten run as club's final record for the 1997–98 league campaign stood at 22 wins, 4 draws and 0 losses, out of 26 games total, an unbeaten run not matched in any single season by any team in an Azerbaijani league division. In the 1999 UEFA Intertoto Cup season, Qarabag became the first Azerbaijani club to advance to the next round of the European Cup.
=The 2000s=
As league entered a new century, the Neftçi found themselves facing new challengers. They were challenged by emerging Khazar Lankaran, Inter Baku and Baku in both competitions. The country's football received major blow in 2002, when UEFA imposed a two-year ban in response to a long-standing conflict between the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan and majority of the country's top flight clubs.{{cite web|title=İbrahimoviç Qurbanova çatdı |url=http://www.futbolplusqol.com/2011/05/12/read=15908 |work=futbolplusqol.com |access-date=1 September 2011 |language=az |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009021641/http://www.futbolplusqol.com/2011/05/12/read%3D15908 |archive-date=9 October 2011 |df=dmy }} The domestic championship was abandoned as a result of the conflict and the top clubs prevented their players from playing for the national team, with tax officials also probing allegations of fraud at the Azerbaijan federation.{{cite web|last=Walker|first=Paul|title=Relief for Wales as Uefa lifts ban on Azerbaijan|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/relief-for-wales-as-uefa-lifts-ban-on-azerbaijan-105824.html|work=Independent.co.uk|publisher=The Independent|access-date=1 September 2011}} Under the management of Agaselim Mirjavadov, Khazar Lankaran finished as Azerbaijan Cup winners in 2006 and 2007, while becoming league champions in 2006–07 despite losing the title to Neftçi in 2004–05 during Championship play-off. Qarabağ was the first ever team from Azerbaijan to reach UEFA Europa League play off-round during the seasons 2009–10 and 2010–11. Few gave chances for qualification to the next round, although the Aghdam side caused quite a stir against favorites Rosenborg, Honka, Twente and Wisła Kraków.
=The 2010s=
File:Azerbaijan Premier League trophy 2011-2012.jpg
The 2010s brought a bright start, with Neftçi emerged as a champion after six years of unsuccessful run.{{cite web|last=Ibrahimov|first=Erkin|title=Neftçi take title honours in Azerbaijan|url=https://www.uefa.com/news/01f1-0e782d2baf69-c188c34bb227-1000--neftci-take-title-honours-in-azerbaijan/?referrer=%2fmemberassociations%2fassociation%3daze%2fnews%2fnewsid%3d1625862|publisher=UEFA|access-date=2 May 2011}}{{cite web|title=Neftchi are Azerbaijani champions|url=http://news.az/articles/sports/35430|publisher=News.az}} In the next season, Neftçi repeated its domestic success after sealing their seventh title in club's history.{{cite web|script-title=ru:Чемпионский рецепт от Нефтчи|url=http://www.azerisport.com/football/20120501120622612.html|work=Azerisport.com|access-date=30 April 2012|language=ru}}{{cite web|last=Ibragimov|first=Erkin|title=Neftçi take honours in Azerbaijan|url=https://www.uefa.com/news/01fc-0e7e09c9bf98-9918a4491dce-1000--neftci-take-honours-in-azerbaijan/|work=UEFA|access-date=10 May 2012}} In that year, Neftçi Baku became the first Azerbaijani team which advanced to group stage of a European competition.{{cite web|script-title=ru:"Нефтчи" стал первым азербайджанским футбольным клубом, вышедшим в групповой этап еврокубков - ФОТО |url=http://www.1news.az/sport/football/20120831010854839.html |work=1news.az |access-date=30 August 2012 |language=ru |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901042323/http://www.1news.az/sport/football/20120831010854839.html |archive-date=1 September 2012 }} In 2012–13 season, Neftçi managed to win three titles in a row.{{cite web|title=ARDICIL ÜÇÜNCÜ DƏFƏ ÇEMPİON "NEFTÇİ"!!! |url=http://fanat.az/ardicil-ucuncu-d%C9%99f%C9%99-cempion-neftci/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201042405/http://fanat.az/ardicil-ucuncu-d%C9%99f%C9%99-cempion-neftci/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 December 2017 |website=fanat.az |access-date=14 May 2013 |language=az }}{{cite web|title=Three in a row for Azerbaijani champions Neftçi|url=https://www.uefa.com/news/0209-0e84bb2f67d8-9c7aac60886d-1000--three-in-a-row-for-azerbaijani-champions-neftci/|work=UEFA|access-date=15 May 2013}} In 2013–14 season, Qarabağ managed to win its 2nd title after 21 years,{{cite web|title=Azerbaycan'da şampiyon Karabağ|url=http://www.milliyet.com.tr/azerbaycan-da-sampiyon-karabag---1879010-skorerhaber/|work=www.milliyet.com.tr|publisher=Milliyet|access-date=7 May 2014|language=tr}} and continue to win domestic title consecutively. In 2014, Qarabağ became the second and most successful Azerbaijani team which advanced to group stage of a European competition.{{cite web|script-title=ru:"Карабах" выбил "Твенте" из Лиги Европы|url=http://www.sovsport.ru/news/text-item/739363|website=www.sovsport.ru|access-date=28 August 2014|language=ru}} After consecutive participation in Europa League, in 2017, Qarabağ became the first Azerbaijani team which advanced to group stage of a Champions League.
On 19 June 2020, the AFFA announced that the 2019–20 season had officially ended without the resumption of the remaining matches due to the escalating situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Azerbaijan. As a result, Qarabağ were crowned champions for the seventh season in a row, whilst also qualifying for the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League, with Neftçi, Keşla and Sumgayit qualifying for the 2020–21 UEFA Europa League.{{cite web |title=Официально: Сезон 2019/20 завершен досрочно. Карабах - чемпион, Сумгаит впервые в истории попал в Еврокубки |url=http://www.azerifootball.com/ru/13/news/45788.html |website=azerifootball.com/ |publisher=Azerifootball |access-date=19 June 2020 |language=ru |date=19 June 2020}}
Competition format
The competition follows the usual double round-robin format. During the course of a season, which lasts from August to May, each club plays every other club four times, two times at home and two times away, for a total of 28 games.{{cite web|title=Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının formatı dəyişdi|url=http://futbolpress.az/v2/news-details/26273/|work=futbolpress.az|date=7 February 2012 |language=az}} Teams receive three points for a win, one point for a draw, and no points for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points, with the highest-ranked club at the end of the season crowned champion.
Beginning from 2022-23 season Azerbaijan Premier League is planned to be extended to 10 teams.{{cite web|title=Эльхан Мамедов: Планируем расширить АЗПЛ до 10-и команд, и надеемся увидеть там Кяпаз|url=https://www.azerisport.com/video/20211119101504359.html|work=azerisport.com|language=ru}}
Below is a complete record of how many teams played in each season throughout the league's history;
| width="20"|
|valign="top"|
{{col-3}}
{{col-3}}
|
=Qualification for European competitions=
The champions qualify for the UEFA Champions League, the second and third placed teams qualifies for the UEFA Europa Conference League. As of the start of the 2020–21 Azerbaijan Premier League season qualification for European competitions is as follows: champions qualify for the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, runners-up and third placed team qualifies for the first qualifying round of the Conference League. A fourth spot is given to the winner of the Azerbaijan Cup, who qualify for the first qualifying round of the Conference League. If the Azerbaijan Cup winner has already qualified for European competition through their league finish, the next highest placed club in the league takes their place.
Members of the APL (2024–25 season)
{{main|2024–25 Azerbaijan Premier League}}
{{Location map+|Azerbaijan|float=right|width=330|caption=Locations of the 2024–25 Azerbaijan Premier League teams.
Team in italics is from a zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and is playing its home games in Baku.|places=
{{Location map~|Azerbaijan|lat=40.4 |long=49.9 |label=Neftçi
Sabah}}
{{Location map~|Azerbaijan|lat=39.21 |long=45.41 |label=Araz |position=left}}
{{Location map~|Azerbaijan|lat=40.78 |long=48.81 |label=Shamakhi |position=bottom}}
{{Location map~|Azerbaijan|lat=40.706111 |long=46.361944 |label=Kapaz |position=bottom}}
{{Location map~|Azerbaijan|lat=39.993 |long=46.9305 |label=Qarabağ}}
{{Location map~|Azerbaijan|lat=40.5 |long=50.2 |label=Sabail |position=right}}
{{Location map~|Azerbaijan|lat=40.59 |long=49.67 |label=Sumgayit |position=top}}
{{Location map~|Azerbaijan|lat=40.992222 |long=45.625556 |label=Turan}}
{{Location map~|Azerbaijan|lat=40.4 |long=50.3 |label=Zira |position=bottom}}
}}
=Stadia and locations=
:Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Team !Location !Venue !Capacity[http://pfl.az Azərbaycan Peşəkar Liqası] {{in lang|az}} |
| Shamakhi
|align="center" |4,500 |
| Kapaz
|align="center" |27,000 |
| Neftçi
|Baku |align="center" |11,000 |
| Qarabağ
|align="center" |5,800 |
| Sabah
|align="center" |13,000 |
| Sabail
|align="center" |3,200 |
| Araz
|align="center" |12,800 |
| Sumgayit
|align="center" |10,047 |
| Turan
|align="center" |6,800 |
| Zira
|Zira Olympic Sport Complex Stadium |align="center" |1,300 |
Azerbaijan SSR Champions
{{main|Football Championship of the Azerbaijan SSR}}
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- 1928: Progress-2 Baku
- 1929–33: unknown
- 1934: Profsoyuz Baku
- 1935: Stroitel Yuga Baku
- 1936: Stroitel Yuga Baku
- 1937: Lokomotiv Baku
- 1938: Lokomotiv Baku
- 1939: Lokomotiv Baku
- 1940: Lokomotiv Baku
- 1941–43: unknown
- 1944: Dinamo Baku
- 1945: Neftyanik Baku
- 1946: Lokomotiv Baku
- 1947: Trudovye Rezervy Baku
- 1948: KKF Baku
- 1949: KKF Baku
- 1950: Iskra Baku
- 1951: Ordjonikidzeneft Baku
- 1952: Ordjonikidzeneft Baku
- 1953: Ordjonikidzeneft Baku
- 1954: Zavod im. S.M. Budennogo Baku
- 1955: Ordjonikidzeneft Baku
- 1956: NPU Ordgonikidzeneft Baku
- 1957: NPU Ordjonikidzeneft Baku
- 1958: NPU Ordjonikidzeneft Baku
- 1959: Baku Teams (Spartakiada)
- 1960: SKA Baku
- 1961: Spartak Guba
- 1962: SKA Baku
- 1963: Araz Baku
- 1964: Polad Sumgait
- 1965: Vostok Baku
- 1966: Vostok Baku
- 1967: Araz Baku
- 1968: SKA Baku
- 1969: Araz Baku
- 1970: SKA Baku
- 1971: Khimik Salyany
- 1972: Surahanets Baku
- 1973: Araz Baku
- 1974: Araz Baku
- 1975: Araz Baku
- 1976: Araz Baku
- 1977: Karabakh Khankendi
- 1978: SKIF Baku
- 1979: SKA Baku
- 1980: Energetik Ali-Bayramly
- 1981: Gandjlik Baku
- 1982: Tokhudju Baku
- 1983: Termist Baku
- 1984: Termist Baku
- 1985: Khazar Sumgayit
- 1986: Göyəzən
- 1987: Araz Naxçıvan
- 1988: Qarabağ Ağdam
- 1989: Stroitel Sabirabad
- 1990: Qarabağ Ağdam
- 1991: Khazar Sumgayit
{{div col end}}
Azerbaijani League Champions and Top Scorers
| class="wikitable" |
| width="65"|Season
! width="130"|Champion ! width="130"|Runner-up ! width="130"|Third place !Top scorers |
|---|
| 1992
|{{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Nazim Aliyev (Khazar Sumgayit, 39 goals) |
| 1993
|{{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Samir Alakbarov (Neftçi, 16 goals) |
| 1993–94
|{{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Musa Gurbanov (Turan, 35 goals) |
| 1994–95
|{{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Nazim Aliyev (Neftçi, 26 goals) |
| 1995–96
|{{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Fazil Parvarov (Kapaz, 23 goals) / Rovshan Ahmadov (Kapaz, 23 goals) |
| 1996–97
|{{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Gurban Gurbanov (Neftçi, 34 goals) |
| 1997–98
|Baku |{{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Nazim Aliyev (Baku, 23 goals) |
| 1998–99
|{{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Alay Bahramov (Viləş Masallı, 24 goals) |
| 1999–00
|{{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Badri Kvaratskhelia (Shamkir, 16 goals) |
| 2000–01
|{{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Pasha Aliyev (Bakili Baku, 12 goals) |
| 2001–02
| colspan="4" style="background:#efefef" |{{center|The AFFA and the clubs were discontinued due to the conflict between the clubs and the results were not taken into account.[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/azer02.html Azerbaijan 2001/02] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303022311/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/azer03.html |date=3 March 2014 }}}} |
| 2002–03
| colspan="4" style="background:#efefef" |{{center|Due to conflict between almost all clubs and the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan, no league championship was held.[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/azer03.html Azerbaijan 2002/03] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303022311/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/azer03.html |date=3 March 2014 }}}} |
| 2003–04
|{{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Samir Musayev (Qarabağ, 20 goals) |
| 2004–05
|{{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Zaur Ramazanov (Karvan, 21 goals) |
| 2005–06
|Baku |{{flagicon|Cote d'Ivoire}} Yacouba Bamba (Karvan, 16 goals) |
| 2006–07
|Baku |{{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Zaur Ramazanov (Khazar Lankaran, 20 goals) |
| 2007–08
|AZAL |{{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Khagani Mammadov (Inter Baku, 19 goals) |
| 2008–09
|Baku |{{flagicon|Uruguay}} Walter Guglielmone (Inter Baku, 17 goals) |
| 2009–10
|Baku |{{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Farid Guliyev (Standard Baku, 16 goals) |
| 2010–11
|{{flagicon|Georgia}} Georgi Adamia (Qarabağ, 18 goals) |
| 2011–12
|{{flagicon|Uzbekistan}} Bahodir Nasimov (Neftçi, 16 goals) |
| 2012–13
|{{flagicon|Chile}} Nicolás Canales (Neftçi, 26 goals) |
| 2013–14 |
| 2014–15
|{{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Nurlan Novruzov (Baku, 15 goals) |
| 2015–16
|Zira |{{flagicon|Spain}} Dani Quintana (Qarabağ, 15 goals) |
| 2016–17
|{{flagicon|CRO}} Filip Ozobić (Gabala, 11 goals) & {{flagicon|AZE}} Rauf Aliyev (Inter Baku, 11 goals) |
| 2017–18
|{{flagicon|FRA}} Bagaliy Dabo, (Gabala, 13 goals) |
| 2018–19
|{{flagicon|AZE}} Mahir Madatov, (Qarabağ, 16 goals) |
| 2019–20
|{{flagicon|IRN}} Peyman Babaei, (Sumgayit, 7 goals) & {{flagicon|FRA}} Steeven Joseph-Monrose (Neftçi, 7 goals) & {{flagicon|FRA}} Bagaliy Dabo (Neftçi, 7 goals) & {{flagicon|AZE}} Mahir Emreli (Qarabağ, 7 goals) |
| 2020–21
|{{flagicon|AZE}} Namik Alaskarov (Neftçi, 19 goals) |
| 2021–22
|Zira |
| 2022–23
|{{flagicon|AZE}} Ramil Sheydayev (Qarabağ, 22 goals) |
| 2023–24
|Zira |
| 2024–25
|Zira | | |
Performances
=Performance by club=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center" |
| width="130"|Club
!Winners !Runners-up !Third place !width="500"|Winning years |
|---|
| align =left|12px 12px Qarabağ
| {{center|12}} | {{center|4}} | {{center|4}} | 1993, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25 |
| align =left|12px Neftçi
| {{center|9}} | {{center|5}} | {{center|7}} | 1992, 1995–96, 1996–97, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2020–21 |
| align =left|Kapaz
| {{center|3}} | {{center|1}} | {{center|2}} |
| align=left|Shamakhi
|{{center|2}} |{{center|3}} |{{center|4}} |
| align=left|Shamkir
| {{center|2}} | {{center|2}} | {{center|1}} |
| align=left|Baku
|{{center|2}} |{{center|2}} |{{center|1}} |
| align=left|Khazar Lankaran
| {{center|1}} | {{center|3}} | {{center|–}} | 2006–07 |
| align=left|Turan Tovuz
| {{center|1}} | {{center|1}} | {{center|2}} | 1993–94 |
| align=left|Gabala
| {{center|–}} | {{center|2}} | {{center|3}} | – |
| align =left|Zira
| {{center|–}} | {{center|3}} | {{center|1}} | – |
| align =left|Khazar Sumgayit
| {{center|–}} | {{center|2}} | {{center|0}} | – |
| align =left|Karvan
| {{center|–}} | {{center|1}} | {{center|1}} | – |
| align =left|Khazri Buzovna
| {{center|–}} | {{center|1}} | {{center|1}} | – |
| align=left|Sabah
|{{center|–}} |{{center|1}} |{{center|1}} |– |
| align=left|Shuvalan
| {{center|–}} | {{center|1}} | {{center|–}} | – |
| align=left|Sabail
| {{center|–}} | {{center|–}} | {{center|1}} | – |
| align =left|Simurq
| {{center|–}} | {{center|–}} | {{center|1}} | – |
| align=left|Sumgayit
| {{center|–}} | {{center|–}} | {{center|1}} | – |
| align=left|Viləş Masallı
| {{center|–}} | {{center|–}} | {{center|1}} | – |
League participation
Note: The tallies below include up to the 2024–25 season. Teams denoted in bold are current participants.
{{div col}}
- 33 seasons: Qarabağ, Neftçi
- 24 seasons: Shamakhi, Turan Tovuz
- 23 seasons: Kapaz
- 18 seasons: Baku, Gabala
- 16 seasons: Khazar Lankaran
- 14 seasons: Sumgayit
- 12 seasons: Shuvalan
- 11 seasons: MOIK Baku, Viləş Masallı
- 10 seasons: Shahdag Qusar, Zira
- 9 seasons: ANS Pivani Bakı, Khazar Sumgayit, Shamkir, Simurq
- 8 seasons: Sabail
- 7 seasons: ABN Barda, Energetik, Sabah
- 6 seasons: Karvan, Shafa Baku
- 5 seasons: Bakılı, Khazri Buzovna
- 4 seasons: Araz-Naxçıvan, Genclerbirliyi Sumqayit, İnşaatçı Baku, Ravan Baku
- 3 seasons: Azeri Baku, Göyazan Qazakh, Kürmük Qakh, Mil-Muğan, Mughan, Pambiqci Neftcala, Standard Sumgayit
- 2 seasons: Adliyya Baku, Avei Agstafa, Avtomobilçi Yevlax, Azerbaijan U-18, Azneftyağ Baku, Daşqın Zaqatala, İnşaatçı Sabirabad, Ümid Cəlilabad
- 1 season: Boz Qurd Samukh, Çıraqqala Siyəzən, Energetik Əli-Bayramlı, Fərid Baku, Karat Bakı, Lokomotiv İmişli, Neftqaz Bakı, Plastik Salyan, Şirvan Kürdəmir, Şirvan Şamaxı, Ümid Bakı
{{div col end}}
=Soviet Top League participation=
{{div col}}
- 27 seasons: Neftçi
- 1 season: Kapaz (as Dynamo Kirovabad), Stroitel Baku (as Temp Baku)
{{div col end}}
Players
Azerbaijan Premier League clubs have almost complete freedom to sign whatever number and category of players they wish. There is no team or individual salary cap, no squad size limit, no age restrictions other than those applied by general employment law, no restrictions on the overall number of foreign players, and few restrictions on individual foreign players – all players with foreign nationality, including those able to claim a passport through a parent or grandparent, are eligible to play, and top players from outside the EU are able to obtain Azerbaijani work permits.
The only restriction on selection is the "Under-21 rule". This rule states that each club must include at least two players under the age of 21 in its matchday squad.{{cite web|title=AFFA 21 yaşla bağlı qərarı ləğv edir, bu dəfə Ramin Musayev Elxan Məmmədova qalib gəldi|url=http://sportinfo.az/news-288/?n=l|work=sportinfo.az|access-date=19 May 2013|language=az|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222032911/http://sportinfo.az/news-288/?n=l|archive-date=22 February 2014|df=dmy-all}} Opinions on this rule appear to be divided among APL managers.
Records
Players in the Premier League compete for the Azerbaijan Premier League Golden Boot, awarded to the top scorer at the end of each season. Nazim Aliyev is the league's all-time top scorer with 183 goals, including 39 in the 1992 season.[https://archive.today/20140805003513/http://www.express.com.az/second.asp?id=114453 Ekspress Newspaper] {{in lang|az}} During the 1995–96 season he became the first player to score 100 Premier League goals. Since then, 10 other players have reached the 100-goal mark.
File:Qurban Qurbanov.jpg is one of the highest goalscorers in Premier League.]]
| align="left" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 0; border: 1px solid #999; border-right-width: 2px; border-bottom-width: 2px; background-color:ivory; width:64%; font-size: 95%;" |
| style="background:beige;"
|+ Top Ten Highest Goalscorers{{cite web|title="100-lər klubu" üçün het-trik |url=http://www.football-plus.az/view_post.php?id=1866 |work=Football Plus Newspaper |access-date=1 September 2011 |language=az }}{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} |
| style="background:beige;"
! colspan="2" align="center"| Player ! align="center"| Period ! align="center" abbr="Club"| Clubwhere player shot the most goals ! align="center"| Goals |
| 1
| {{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Nazim Aliyev | align="center"| 1992–99 | align="center"| Neftchi Baku | align="center"|183 |
|---|
| style="background:lemonchiffon;"
! 2 | {{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Mushfig Huseynov | align="center"| 1992–07 | align="center"| Qarabağ | align="center"| 125 |
| 3
| {{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Rovshan Ahmadov | align="center"| 1992–03 | align="center"| Kapaz | align="center"| 116 |
| style="background:lemonchiffon;"
! 4 | {{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Gurban Gurbanov | align="center"| 1990–06 | align="center"| Neftçi | align="center"| 115 |
| 5
| {{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Samir Alakbarov | align="center"| 1992–01 | align="center"| Neftçi | align="center"| 115 |
| style="background:lemonchiffon;"
! 6 | {{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Alay Bahramov | align="center"| 1992–99 | align="center"| Viləş Masallı | align="center"| 108 |
| 7
| {{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Vadim Vasilyev | align="center"| 1994–07 | align="center"| Baki Fehlesi | align="center"| 102 |
| style="background:lemonchiffon;"
! 8 | {{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Khagani Mammadov | align="center"| 1994–12 | align="center"| Inter Baku | align="center"| 102 |
| 9
| {{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Kanan Karimov | align="center"| 1995–12 | align="center"| Shamkir | align="center"| 101 |
| style="background:lemonchiffon;"
! 10 | {{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Nadir Nabiyev | align="center"| 1995–12 | align="center"| Turan | align="center"| 100 |
File:Aslan Kerimov.jpg is one of the most capped players in Premier League.]]
| align="left" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 0; border: 1px solid #999; border-right-width: 2px; border-bottom-width: 2px; background-color:ivory; width:64%; font-size: 95%;" |
| style="background:beige;"
|+ Top ten most capped players{{cite web|title=Azərbaycanda iki futbolçu "onluğ"a daxil oldu|url=https://www.sportinfo.az/idman_xeberleri/premyer_liqa/174988.html|website=www.sportinfo.az|date=8 July 2023 |publisher=Sportinfo|access-date=8 July 2023}} |
| style="background:beige;"
! colspan="2" align="center"| Player ! align="center"| Period ! align="center" abbr="Club"| Clubwhere player played the most games. ! align="center"| Games |
| 1
| {{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Rahid Amirguliyev | align="center"| 2005–23 | align="center"| Khazar Lankaran | align="center"| 451 |
|---|
| style="background:lemonchiffon;"
! 2 | {{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Mahmud Gurbanov | align="center"| 1992–12 | align="center"| Kapaz | align="center"| 421 |
| 3
| {{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Rashad Sadiqov | align="center"| 1998–21 | align="center"| Neftchi | align="center"| 392 |
| style="background:lemonchiffon;"
! 4 | {{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Azer Mammadov | align="center"| 1992–12 | align="center"| Kapaz | align="center"| 388 |
| 5
| {{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Asif Mammadov | align="center"| 2004– | align="center"| Gabala | align="center"| 388 |
| style="background:lemonchiffon;"
! 6 | {{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Aslan Kerimov | align="center"| 1992–11 | align="center"| Qarabağ | align="center"| 382 |
| 7
| {{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Rashad Abdullayev | align="center"| 1994–17 | align="center"| Khazar Lankaran | align="center"| 378 |
| style="background:lemonchiffon;"
! 8 | {{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Maksim Medvedev | align="center"| 2006-24 | align="center"| Qarabağ | align="center"| 376 |
| 9
| {{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Elvin Mammadov | align="center"| 2005–2023 | align="center"| Baku | align="center"| 376 |
| style="background:lemonchiffon;"
! 10 | {{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Vurğun Hüseynov | align="center"| 2005–24 | align="center"| Sumgayit | align="center"| 368 |
| style="background:lemonchiffon;" |
{{clear}}
{{updated|match played 1 June 2024}}
; Biggest home win: Kapaz 14–2 Shamkir (1997–98){{cite web|script-title=ru:ПАС ИЗ-ЗА ГРАНИЦЫ|url=http://www.sport-express.ru/newspaper/1999-02-10/4_4/|work=Sports Express Newspaper|access-date=11 December 2011|language=ru}}
; Most consecutive games unbeaten: Kapaz, 30 games, 1997–98{{cite web|title=Годы независимости. Успехи Нефтчи, Кяпаза, Шамкира, и французский позор|url=http://www.azerisport.com/football/20110604032742402.html|publisher=Azerisport.com|access-date=5 June 2011}}
; Youngest goalscorer: Orkhan Aliyev, for Sumgayit vs Gabala, 15 years old, 236 days{{cite web|title=Europe's youngest top-flight goalscorers|url=https://www.uefa.com/news/0253-0d7f68d4bd71-5197784f2719-1000--europe-s-youngest-top-flight-goalscorers/|website=UEFA|access-date=23 June 2014}}
; Oldest player: Nadir Shukurov, for Karvan vs Mughan, 42 years, 19 April 2009{{cite web|url=http://www.affa.az/index.php?r=1&id=2892&lang=en|title=NBC is renamed|date=31 October 2008|publisher=AFFA|access-date=10 March 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090423082806/http://www.affa.az/index.php?r=1&id=2892&lang=en| archive-date= 23 April 2009 | url-status= live}}
; All-time top scorer: Nazim Aliyev (Khazar Sumgayit, Neftçi, Qarabag, Shafa Baku, Dinamo Baku), (183 goals)
; Most APL appearances: Mahmud Gurbanov, 421
; Most goals in a season: Nazim Aliyev (Khazar Sumgayit), (39 goals), 1992
UEFA ranking
UEFA Country Ranking for league participation after 2018–19 European football season.
{{updated|20 June 2019|[https://archive.today/20120527090942/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/uefarankings/country/index.html#/yr/2019 Country coefficients]}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |
| Current Ranking !Movement !Last Season !League !Coefficient |
|---|
| 24
|{{subon}} |(28) |align=left|{{flagicon|Kazakhstan}} Kazakhstan Premier League |19.250 |
| 25
|{{suboff}} |(21) |align=left|{{flagicon|Poland}} Ekstraklasa |50.000 |
| 26
|{{suboff}} |(23) |align=left|{{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} Azerbaijan Premier League |19.000 |
| 27
|{{suboff}} |(18) |align=left|{{flagicon|Israel}} Israeli Premier League |18.625 |
| 28
|{{steady}} |(24) |align=left|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Bulgarian First League |17.500 |
Finances
=Attendances=
* UEFA has suspended the league after longstanding conflict between the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan and the majority of the country's top-flight clubs.{{cite web|title=Azerbaijan embargo ends |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0191-0f8e9a2a25d3-a1161b7870f1-1000--azerbaijan-embargo-ends/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913101321/http://www.uefa.com/uefa/management/executiveaffairs/news/newsid=71251.html |url-status=live |archive-date=13 September 2012 |work=UEFA |access-date=29 April 2012 }}
=Sponsorship=
The UniBank, who had sponsored the league since 2009, did not renew their sponsorship at the end of the 2011–12 season.[http://ru.trend.az/news/sports/1546396.html Unibank стал главным спонсором профессиональной футбольной лиги] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728072759/http://ru.trend.az/news/sports/1546396.html |date=28 July 2011 }} {{in lang|az}}[http://www.1news.az/economy/20090924024300717.html Азербайджанский «Unibank» стал официальным спонсором Премьер-лиги] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926162111/http://www.1news.az/economy/20090924024300717.html |date=26 September 2009 }} {{in lang|az}} Talks began with Topaz betting operator, and a deal was confirmed shortly afterwards.{{cite web|title="Topaz" Premyer Liqanın yeni sponsoru oldu|url=http://sportal.az/?goal=news&id=18401|work=Sportal.az|access-date=26 August 2012|language=az}}
- 2009–12: Unibank Premyer Liqası{{cite web|url=http://abc.az/eng/news/corporate/38603.html |title=Unibank has become general sponsor of Professional Football League |publisher=Azerbaijan Business Center |date=24 September 2009 |access-date=25 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003220759/http://abc.az/eng/news/corporate/38603.html |archive-date=3 October 2011 |df=dmy }}
- 2012–19: Topaz Premyer Liqası{{cite web |url=http://azerisport.com/football/20120919040127452.html|title=Topaz и ПФЛ подписались на три совместных сезона|publisher=Azerisport.az|date=19 September 2012 |access-date=19 September 2012 }}
In August 2019, cooperation was suspended and PFL announced a new tender for sponsorship.{{cite web |url=http://www.azerifootball.com/ru/13/news/43228.html|title=ПФЛ пытается отомстить Topaz заключением контракта с другой букмекерской компанией. Но это незаконно|publisher=Azerifootball.com|date=6 August 2019 |access-date=6 August 2019}}{{cite web |url=http://www.pfl.az/news/8367|title=PFL tender elan edir|publisher=Pfl.az|date=6 August 2019 |access-date=6 August 2019}}
As well as sponsorship for the league itself, the Premier League has a number of official partners and suppliers. The technical for the league is Nike who is providing their match ball for the season.{{cite web|title=AFFA hər kluba 100 top verib|url=http://www.football-plus.az/olke/7632-affa-her-kluba-100-top-verib.html|access-date=13 August 2018|language=az}}
=Insolvency events=
Since the APL began, five of its member clubs have entered administration, while nearly twenty clubs liquidated.{{cite web|script-title=ru:Распался клуб-участник азербайджанской Премьер-лиги|url=http://www.trend.az/news/society/1242026.html|work=Trend.az|date=8 July 2008 |access-date=15 May 2013|language=ru}}{{cite web|title=Futbolun vidalaşdıqları futbolla vidalaşa bilmir (Yazı)|url=http://rekord.az/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5559:futbolun-vidaladqlar-futbolla-vidalaa-bilmir-yaz&catid=24:analitika&Itemid=31|work=korner.az|access-date=15 May 2013|language=az}} A reduction in revenue from ticket sales for APL games and club merchandise impacted negatively on club expenditure. Players were asked to consider wage cuts and team squads were reduced.
A major criticism of the Premier League in the mid-2000s was the emergence of gulf between the Premier League and the First Division. Criticism of the gap between clubs has continued, nevertheless, due to some clubs' increasing ability to spend more than the other Premier League clubs. For some clubs, including Shamkir, Karvan, Absheron, MKT-Araz who have failed to win immediate promotion back to the top flight, financial problems, including in some cases administration or even liquidation have followed.
Media coverage
Awards
=Trophy=
The current Azerbaijan Premier League trophy was developed by the Professional Football League of Azerbaijan and the trophy has been awarded to the champion of Azerbaijan since the end of the 2009–10 season, replacing the previous Premier League trophy that had existed for only few years.
=Monthly and annual=
In addition to the winner's Trophy and the individual winner's medal players receive, Azerbaijan Premier League also awards the monthly Player of the Month award. Following the season, the awards such as the Player of the Year, Manager of the Year, and Young Player of the Year from Azerbaijan Premier League are handed out.
See also
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{official website}}
- [https://www.uefa.com/nationalassociations/aze/domestic/league/1059/ Azerbaijani Premier League] at UEFA
- [https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/azerchamp.html Azerbaijan – List of Champions], RSSSF.com
- [https://int.soccerway.com/national/azerbaijan/premyer-liqa/ Azerbaijan Premier League summary], Soccerway
{{Azerbaijan Premier League}}
{{AFFA Supreme League}}
{{Football in Azerbaijan}}
{{UEFA leagues}}
{{Sport in Azerbaijan}}
{{Soviet republican level football championships}}