Vardar and Shkendija were not granted licenses for European matches next season, the Football Federation of Macedonia (FFM) reported today.

FFM’s commission for licensing held a meeting today and decided to grant licenses to 5 clubs, which included Sileks, Rabotnicki, Renova, Metalurg and Horizont Turnovo.  These licenses are conditional upon the clubs transforming into joint stock companies until a given deadline; otherwise the licenses will be revoked.

The current table leaders Vardar and third placed side Shkendija were among three teams not granted licenses.  Ohrid, who has no chance of qualifying for a European competition, was the third team without a license.  Shkendija has been given 3 days to appeal the decision.

Meanwhile, the commission for licensing has requested additional information from Vardar, which was not specified, before a final decision can be made about their participation in European matches for next season.  Vardar, through its official website, assured its fans by saying that they have all of the paperwork needed to obtain a license for next season.

These licenses are for European matches only, organized by UEFA.  The procedure for issuing domestic licenses for the 2012-13 season is still ongoing at this time.