Europa League: APOEL reinstated to replace Fenerbahçe, excluded from European competitions

APOEL Nicosia (Cyprus) have been drafted to replace Fenerbahce, excluded from all European competitions, in Europa League after a draw organized by UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) in Monaco on the 30/08/2013. Eliminated in kick-offs on the 29/08/2013, by Zulte Waregem (Belgium, 1-1, 1-2), the Cypriot club will still participate in the group stage of the 2013/14 competition.

The exclusion of Fenerbahce (Turkey) by UEFA on the 25/06/2013, was confirmed on the 28/08/2013 by the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport), for match-fixing in 2010/11. The initial three-season suspension from European competition was reduced to two seasons by UEFA on the 15/07/2013. Eliminated by Arsenal (ENG, 0-3, 0-2) in the Champions League kick-offs and supposed to enter the Europa League, the Turkish club is replaced by APOEL Nicosia in the competition.

The draw for the 2013/14 Europa League groups takes place in Monaco on the 30/08/2013, at 13:00. The 30 play-off winners of the Europa League, the ten play-offs losers of the Champions League and eight clubs directly qualified, 48 teams in…