The Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation, banned from participating in international events for six months, will pay a fine of 30,000 Swiss Francs to the International Gymnastics Federation due to physical and psychological abuse of gymnasts.

The International Gymnastics Federation has imposed sanctions on the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation, according to a statement released by the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation on December 31.

Accordingly, the national federation has been prohibited from participating in the 25th Council Meeting, which will be held in Qawra, Malta, in 2025, as well as the 86th Congress, set to take place in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2026.

In addition, the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation has been banned from participating in the activities of the International Gymnastics Federation and other international events for six months.

However, the decision states that the enforcement of this sanction has been suspended for 12 months, conditional upon the fulfillment of safety-related requirements.

The Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation, established in 1994, has been headed by First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva since 2002.

Mehriban Aliyeva, President of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation. Photo taken from the President.az website

According to the national federation's regulations on ensuring a safe environment in gymnastics and protecting the identity of participants, physical and psychological abuse is strictly prohibited.

However, former and current coaches of the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation have violated these regulations. As a result, former head coach of artistic gymnastics Mariana Vasilyeva, current head coach Siana Vasilyeva, and coach Yevgeniya Vilyayeva have been subjected to sanctions.

Sanctions against the national federation were imposed after allegations that the coaches had engaged in physical and psychological abuse of gymnasts were confirmed.

The Gymnastics Ethics Foundation began a comprehensive investigation following complaints received in July 2020. The preliminary investigation, concluded in 2023, revealed that former head coach Mariana Vasilyeva physically assaulted athletes over weight gain, insulted them, and forced them to train despite their poor health, putting their well-being at risk.

Mariana Vasilyeva, Photo taken from the International Judo Federation website

In addition, Mariana Vasilyeva withholding money and rewards of athletes, restricted their communication with their families and others by depriving them of their mobile phone. It is worth noting that Mariana Vasilyeva currently serves as the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan.

The Disciplinary Commission has excluded Mariana Vasilyeva from participating in the activities of the International Gymnastics Federation and international events for eight years due to the violations she committed. She will also be permanently prohibited from serving as the head coach of any federation affiliated with the International Gymnastics Foundation. Additionally, the "Honorary Coach" diploma awarded to her by the International Gymnastics Foundation in 2019 will be withdrawn.

Head coach Siana Vasilyeva is responsible for hitting a gymnast with a phone. Based on the sanctions imposed on her, Siana Vasilyeva will be excluded from participating in all FIG activities and other international events for 18 months.

Siana Vasilyeva, Photo taken from the website "Sports Biz"

Another coach, Yevgeniya Vilyayeva is liable for harassing a gymnast about her weight. As per the sanctions, Yevgeniya Vilyayeva will be excluded from participating in the activities of the International Gymnastics Foundation and other international events for 12 months.

Yevgeniya Vilyayeva, Photo taken from the website "Idman biz"

The Disciplinary Commission has acquitted the federation's judge, former coach Nataliya Bulanova, who was involved in the investigation of the allegations. Responsibility for all the violations committed by the coaches has been placed on the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation.

Nataliya Bulanova, Photo taken from the "Trend az" website

According to the decision issued by the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation, the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation is required to appoint a qualified safety expert in coordination with the International Gymnastics Federation. The expert must submit an initial report by March 31, 2025, which will review safety procedures, mechanisms, and disciplinary processes.

A report must be submitted every three months until the end of 2026, and the national federation is required to appoint an independent and impartial safety director to its board. The Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation will be fined 30,000 Swiss francs (approximately 33,136 US dollars) for the violations it committed.

The Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation has not issued an official statement on the matter.