Metalist Kharkiv kicked out of Champions League
The decision by Uefa's appeals committee came 10 days after Metalist lost an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over a domestic match- fixing case dating back to 2008.
Ukraine's Metalist Kharkiv, due to play Schalke 04 in the Champions League play-off round later this month, have been kicked out of the competition.
Yesterday's decision by Uefa's appeals committee came 10 days after Metalist lost an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over a domestic match- fixing case dating back to 2008.
Metalist, runners-up in last season's Ukrainian Premier League, have already knocked Greek side PAOK out of the competition and were due to visit Schalke on August 21 with the return on August 27.
Metalist could still appeal to CAS over Uefa's decision and a ruling in their favour, which may not come until after the group stage has started, could throw the Champions League into confusion.
CAS has already allowed Fenerbahce back into the competition while it considers an appeal from the Turkish club against their two-year ban from European competition over a domestic match-fixing case.
CAS has said it will make a final ruling on Fenerbahce's case by August 28, the day after the Turks play the second leg of their play-off tie against Arsenal.
Fenerbahce have already eliminated Salzburg.
