UEFA bans Metalist Kharkiv from Champions League

UEFA have expelled Metalist Kharkiv from this season's Champions League over links to match-fixing.

The Ukrainian side had been due to play Schalke 04 in the final qualifying round of the competition, but they are now expected to be replaced by the team that they beat in the previous stage, Greek outfit PAOK.

Metalist were charged by UEFA last week over claims that sports director Yevhen Krasnikov had helped to fix a league match against Karpaty Lviv in 2008.

The club is likely to take its appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, though early reports have suggested that they could ask for the sanction to be withheld while the case is processed.