British Olympic Association officials say they are "extremely disappointed" by the decision by the Baku European Games organising committee to bar entry to a British sports journalist.

The Guardian's Owen Gibson was told three hours before his flight on Thursday that he would be denied entry to Azerbaijan for the event, which runs until 29 June.

Gibson had written a series of articles which were critical of the Azerbaijani government's recent human rights record.

In a statement to the newspaper, BOA chief executive Bill Sweeney said: "It is the Baku European Games Operation Committee's responsibility to accredit media at the European Games and the British Olympic Association has therefore repeatedly asked Becog for clarification on the status of Owen Gibson's accreditation.

"We were extremely disappointed to be informed that the Guardian's chief sports correspondent's accreditation to cover the European Games was today denied.

"We reiterate to Becog that the principles of the Olympic Charter are to be upheld throughout the games, including a media environment that allows for full and free reporting of the European Games."

The European Olympic Committees said while it disapproved of Gibson's accreditation rejection, it was unable to influence the decisions of a sovereign state.

Its statement read: "It is always a matter of concern when a sports journalist wishing to cover a sporting event is refused access.

"Now that president [Pat] Hickey is in Baku, he will be urging the highest levels of government to take the necessary steps to ensure full and free reporting on Baku 2015 for all media wishing to cover the European Games. These high-level discussions will be conducted in private."