UEFA expel Ukraines Metalist Kharkiv

European football governing body UEFA has disqualified Ukrainian football club  Metalist Kharkiv from the Champions League qualifications stages for match-fixing and may now reinstate Greek club PAOK Thessaloniki as their replacement.Yesterday, Metalist lawyers attended a two-hour disciplinary hearing at UEFA headquarters, and the body stated that the verdict should be expected within 24 hours.

Metalist was scheduled to play Germany’s Bundasliga club Schalke FC next Wednesday in the first leg of the Champions League pre-qualifier play-off round.

Metalist Kharkiv eliminated PAOK in the third qualifying round last week. UEFA said its emergency panel will meet later today “to consider the consequences of the decision”, according to Associated Press. The panel will study the severe allegations of match fixing that have been placed on  Metalist Kharkiv and what measures of punishment to take.

Ukrainian club Metalist will likely challenge UEFA with an urgent appeal to the European Court of Arbitration for Sport, which is able to withhold sanctions while a case my be processed allowing Metalist Kharkiv to debut in the  Champions League campaign to continue