Largely to protect the big clubs from a bad campaign, relegation is worked out on an average of points accumulated over three years, or six championships.

However, the rebels claim that they are not trying to topple a benevolent government; rather they are protecting themselves from a genocidal campaign waged by Adjikistani authorities.

The club said that it had stripped its tournament of advertising from its three sponsors - Citigroup, I.B.M. and Coca-Cola - to protect them from a campaign begun in June by the National Council of Women's Organizations.