Maltese Premier League: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Association football top division of Malta}} |
{{short description|Association football top division of Malta}} |
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{{Copy edit|date=April 2024}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2012}} |
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2012}} |
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{{Infobox football league |
{{Infobox football league |
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| logo = File:360SportsMaltaPremier.png|thumb|360SportsMaltaPremier |
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| logo = |
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| pixels = |
| pixels = 200px |
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| organiser = [[Malta Football Association]] (MFA) |
| organiser = [[Malta Football Association]] (MFA) |
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| country = {{MLT}} |
| country = {{MLT}} |
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| confed = [[UEFA]] |
| confed = [[UEFA]] |
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| founded = {{start date and age|1909}} |
| founded = {{start date and age|1909}} |
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| teams = |
| teams = 12 |
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| relegation = [[Maltese Challenge League]] |
| relegation = [[Maltese Challenge League]] |
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| levels = 1 |
| levels = 1 |
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| domest_cup = [[Maltese FA Trophy]]<br />[[Maltese Super Cup]] |
| domest_cup = [[Maltese FA Trophy]]<br />[[Maltese Super Cup]] |
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| confed_cup = [[UEFA Champions League]]<br />[[UEFA |
| confed_cup = [[UEFA Champions League]]<br />[[UEFA Conference League]] |
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| champions = [[Ħamrun Spartans F.C.|Ħamrun Spartans]] (10th title) |
| champions = [[Ħamrun Spartans F.C.|Ħamrun Spartans]] (10th title) |
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| season = [[2023–24 Maltese Premier League|2023–24]] |
| season = [[2023–24 Maltese Premier League|2023–24]] |
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| most_successful_club = [[Sliema Wanderers F.C.|Sliema Wanderers]] and [[Floriana F.C.|Floriana]] (26 titles each) |
| most_successful_club = [[Sliema Wanderers F.C.|Sliema Wanderers]] and [[Floriana F.C.|Floriana]] (26 titles each) |
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| tv = TVMSport+ (Live Matches) |
| tv = TVMSport+ (Live Matches) |
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| website = {{URL|http://mfa.com.mt/en/leagues/leagues/10/bov-premier-league.htm|mfa.com.mt/premier-league}} |
| website = {{URL|http://mfa.com.mt/en/leagues/leagues/10/bov-premier-league.htm|mfa.com.mt/premier-league}} |
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| current = [[ |
| current = [[2024–25 Maltese Premier League]] |
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}} |
}} |
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The '''Maltese Premier League''', known as ''' |
The '''Maltese Premier League''', known as '''360Sports Malta Premier''' for sponsorship reasons with 360Sports ([[colloquialism|colloquially]] known as ''Il-Kampjonat Premjer''), is the highest level of professional football in [[Malta]]. Managed by the [[Malta Football Association]], the Premier League is contested by 12 teams and operates on a [[promotion and relegation]] system with the [[Maltese Challenge League|Challenge League]]. As of June 2022, the Premier League ranks 46th out of 55 members in the [[UEFA coefficient]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl/bert/uefa/data/method5/crank2019.html |title=UEFA Country Ranking 2019 |website=kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl |date=26 July 2018 |access-date=September 8, 2018 |archive-date=May 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510073246/https://kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl/bert/uefa/data/method5/crank2019.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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The league was first |
The league was first contested in 1909 as the First Division, before switching to its current name in 1980;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2005-08-14/sports-others/The-Premier-League-Is-25-years-old-79159 |title=The Premier League Is 25 years old |newspaper=The Malta Independent |date=14 August 2005 |access-date=20 October 2018 |archive-date=October 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020223815/http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2005-08-14/sports-others/The-Premier-League-Is-25-years-old-79159 |url-status=live }}</ref> the First Division in turn replaced the [[Maltese Second Division|Second Division]]. [[Sliema Wanderers F.C.|Sliema Wanderers]] and [[Floriana F.C.|Floriana]] have won the title a record 26 times. The current champions are [[Ħamrun Spartans F.C.|Ħamrun Spartans]] who won their 10th title in the [[2023–24 Maltese Premier League|2023–24 season]]. |
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== Format == |
== Format == |
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{{div col end}} |
{{div col end}} |
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In a Premier League the league format, which will come into being from the [[2024–25 Maltese Premier League|2024–25 season]], the Maltese Premier League will be made up of 12 teams and be split into an Opening Round and Closing Round in a way that is similar to domestic footballing systems used in South America.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Galea |first=Albert |date=24 April 2024 |title=New Premier League explained: 'New format will not be damnation or salvation of Maltese football |url=https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2024-04-24/local-news/New-Premier-League-explained-New-format-will-not-be-damnation-or-salvation-of-Maltese-football-6736260505 |website=Malta Independent}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Camilleri |first=Valhmor |date=2023-04-13 |title=Number of Premier League teams down to 12 from 2024-25 |url=https://sport.timesofmalta.com/2023/04/13/number-of-premier-league-teams-down-to-12-from-2024-25/ |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=SportsDesk |language=en-US}}</ref> The Opening Round will see each of the 12 teams play each other once before the league is then split between a Top 6 and a Bottom 6, allowing for the teams in each of those splits to play each other another time. |
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Once the ranking is set, each team will return to 0 points and start from scratch in the Closing Round, where the same process will be repeated. Teams receive [[three points for a win]] and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. The club with the most points is crowned champions. Suppose two teams are level on points at the end of the season (to decide champions, for relegation or for UEFA competitions). In that case, there will be a [[Playoffs (association football)|play-off]] to decide the finishing order of the teams. If three or more teams are tied on points (to determine champions, for relegation or UEFA competitions), teams are ranked by Head-to-head points and the best two teams will play a play-off. The four lowest placed teams are relegated into the [[Maltese Challenge League|Challenge League]] |
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⚫ | |||
To determine the champion or qualification to UEFA competitions, a [[Playoffs (association football)|play-off]] is played to determine the winner. The four lowest placed teams are relegated into the [[Maltese Challenge League|Challenge League]] |
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⚫ | The league winner qualifies for the first qualifying round for the [[UEFA Champions League]]. The second- and third-placed teams qualify for the first qualifying round of the [[UEFA Europa Conference League]]. An additional Europa Conference League place is available through the country's domestic cup competition, the [[Maltese FA Trophy|FA Trophy]]. If the winner of the FA Trophy qualifies for Europe through their league position, the fourth-placed team in the league qualifies for the UEFA Europa Conference League's first qualifying round. |
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=== European qualification === |
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{| class="wikitable floatright" |
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|+UEFA coefficients 2020–21<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/nationalassociations/uefarankings/country/#/yr/2021 |title=Country coefficients 2020/21 |publisher=UEFA |website=UEFA.com |date=July 2018 |access-date=March 26, 2022 |archive-date=December 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204125228/https://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/uefarankings/country/#/yr/2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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|- style="font-size: 88%; |
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! Rank |
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! Association |
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! Coefficient |
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⚫ | |||
|{{fall|b|-1}} 44 |
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|{{flagicon|FIN}} [[Football Association of Finland|Finland]] |
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|6.875 |
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⚫ | |||
|{{fall|b|-4}} 45 |
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|{{flagicon|MDA}} [[Moldovan Football Federation|Moldova]] |
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|6.875 |
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⚫ | |||
|'''{{fall|b|-1}} 46''' |
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|'''{{flagicon|MLT}} [[Malta Football Association|Malta]]''' |
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|'''6.375''' |
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⚫ | |||
|{{rise|b|6}} 47 |
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|{{flagicon|FRO}} [[Faroe Islands Football Association|Faroe Islands]] |
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|6.125 |
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⚫ | |||
|{{rise|b|4}} 48 |
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|{{flagicon|KOS}} [[Football Federation of Kosovo|Kosovo]] |
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|5.833 |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | The league winner qualifies |
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== League committees == |
== League committees == |
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The Premier Division Standing Committee (PDSC) is a body composed of the Premier League club presidents who represent their club on a board. These do not have executive powers but are a formal body that has official influence with regards to rules, regulations and issues that relate to the league. From time to time the committee makes proposals to the respective and MFA bodies for approval. |
The Premier Division Standing Committee (PDSC) is a body composed of the Premier League club presidents who represent their club on a board. These do not have executive powers but are a formal body that has official influence with regards to rules, regulations and issues that relate to the league. From time to time the committee makes proposals to the respective and MFA bodies for approval. |
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
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|- |
|- |
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! rowspan="5" | {{Location map+|Malta|float=center|width=300|caption=|places= |
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{{location map~ |
{{location map~|Malta|lat=35.894783|long=14.415172|label=[[Ta' Qali]]|position=top}} |
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{{location map~ |
{{location map~|Malta|lat=35.880278|long=14.512778|label=[[Hibernians Stadium|Tony Bezzina Stadium]]|position=top}} |
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{{Location map~ |Malta|lat=35.886111 |long=14.489444 |label=[[Victor Tedesco Stadium]]|position=left}} |
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{{Location map~ |Malta |lat=36.038323 |long=14.256170 |label=<small>[[Gozo Stadium]]</small> |position=right}}}} |
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! [[Ta' Qali]] |
! [[Ta' Qali]] |
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! [[Ta' Qali]] |
! [[Ta' Qali]] |
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! [[Paola, Malta|Paola]] |
! [[Paola, Malta|Paola]] |
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! [[Hamrun]] |
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! [[Xewkija]] |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[Ta' Qali National Stadium]] |
| [[Ta' Qali National Stadium]] |
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| [[Centenary Stadium]] |
| [[Centenary Stadium]] |
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| [[Hibernians Stadium|Tony Bezzina Stadium]] |
| [[Hibernians Stadium|Tony Bezzina Stadium]] |
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| [[Victor Tedesco Stadium]] |
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| [[Gozo Stadium]] |
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|- |
|- |
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| Capacity: '''16,997''' |
| Capacity: '''16,997''' |
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| Capacity: '''3,000''' |
| Capacity: '''3,000''' |
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| Capacity: '''2,968''' |
| Capacity: '''2,968''' |
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| Capacity: '''1,962''' |
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| Capacity: '''1,644''' |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[Image:Malta TaQali.JPG|200px]] |
| [[Image:Malta TaQali.JPG|200px]] |
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| [[File:Malta - Attard - Ta' Qali Centenary Stadium 07 ies.jpg|200px]] |
| [[File:Malta - Attard - Ta' Qali Centenary Stadium 07 ies.jpg|200px]] |
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| [[File:Hibernians_Ground.jpg|200px]] |
| [[File:Hibernians_Ground.jpg|200px]] |
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| [[File:Victor Tedesco Stadium.jpg|200px]] |
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| [[File:Gozo Stadium.jpg|200px]] |
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|} |
|} |
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Line 142: | Line 120: | ||
{{Location map~ |Malta |lat=35.895278 |long=14.458889 |label=<small>[[Birkirkara F.C.|Birkirkara]]</small> |position=bottom}} |
{{Location map~ |Malta |lat=35.895278 |long=14.458889 |label=<small>[[Birkirkara F.C.|Birkirkara]]</small> |position=bottom}} |
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{{Location map~ |Malta |lat=35.893056 |long=14.401667 |label=<small>[[Rabat Ajax F.C.|Rabat Ajax]]</small> |position=bottom}} |
{{Location map~ |Malta |lat=35.893056 |long=14.401667 |label=<small>[[Rabat Ajax F.C.|Rabat Ajax]]</small> |position=bottom}} |
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{{Location map~ |Malta |lat=35.881607 |long=14.521124 |label=<small>[[St. George's F.C.]]</small> |position=left}} |
{{Location map~ |Malta |lat=35.881607 |long=14.521124 |label=<small>[[St. George's F.C.|St. George's]]</small> |position=left}} |
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{{Location map~ |Malta |lat=35.904722 |long=14.434722 |label=<small>[[Mosta F.C.|Mosta]]</small> |position=left}} |
{{Location map~ |Malta |lat=35.904722 |long=14.434722 |label=<small>[[Mosta F.C.|Mosta]]</small> |position=left}} |
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{{Location map~ |Malta |lat=35.883174 |long=14.492981 |label=<small>[[Marsa F.C.|Marsa]]</small> |position=bottom}} |
{{Location map~ |Malta |lat=35.883174 |long=14.492981 |label=<small>[[Marsa F.C.|Marsa]]</small> |position=bottom}} |
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Line 173: | Line 151: | ||
{{Location map~ |Malta |lat=36.038349 |long=14.256160 |label=<small>''[[Gozo F.C.|Gozo]]''</small> |position=top}} |
{{Location map~ |Malta |lat=36.038349 |long=14.256160 |label=<small>''[[Gozo F.C.|Gozo]]''</small> |position=top}} |
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}} |
}} |
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{{clear}} |
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37 teams have taken part in the Maltese Premier League since the [[1945–46 Maltese Premier League|1945-46 season]] (i.e. the season that introduced promotion and relegation, and during which the [[Malta Football Association|MFA]] changed the rules of the clubs that every locality they have to represent one club) until the [[2024-25 Maltese Premier League|2024-25]] season. [[Hibernians F.C.]] is the only team that has played Maltese Premier League football every season. |
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Teams in '''bold''' participate in 2024-25 season. |
Teams in '''bold''' participate in the 2024-25 season. |
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{{div col}} |
{{div col}} |
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* '''80''' seasons: '''[[Hibernians F.C.]]''' |
* '''80''' seasons: '''[[Hibernians F.C.]]''' |
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{{div col end}} |
{{div col end}} |
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* Teams in '' |
* Teams in ''italics'' are defunct. |
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== Champions == |
== Champions == |
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{{Main|List of Maltese football champions}} |
{{Main|List of Maltese football champions}} |
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In total, ten clubs have won the Maltese championship, including titles in the old First Division which was replaced in 1980 by the Premier League.<ref name="rsssf-table">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/maltchamp.html |title=Malta - List of Champions and Runners-Up |date=2 May 2018 |website=[[RSSSF]] |access-date=8 September 2018 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207211156/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/maltchamp.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Of the winners, three have been champions more than 20 times: [[Sliema Wanderers F.C.|Sliema Wanderers]] (26 titles), [[Floriana F.C.|Floriana]] (26 titles), and [[Valletta F.C.|Valletta]] (25 titles). |
In total, ten clubs have won the Maltese championship, including titles in the old First Division which was replaced in 1980 by the Premier League.<ref name="rsssf-table">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/maltchamp.html |title=Malta - List of Champions and Runners-Up |date=2 May 2018 |website=[[RSSSF]] |access-date=8 September 2018 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207211156/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/maltchamp.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Of the winners, three clubs have been champions more than 20 times: [[Sliema Wanderers F.C.|Sliema Wanderers]] (26 titles), [[Floriana F.C.|Floriana]] (26 titles), and [[Valletta F.C.|Valletta]] (25 titles). |
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The honour of [[star (football badge)|Golden Stars]] was introduced in football to recognize sides that have won multiple championships. In Malta, clubs are permitted to place a golden star above their crest for every ten |
The honour of [[star (football badge)|Golden Stars]] was introduced in football to recognize sides that have won multiple championships. In Malta, clubs are permitted to place a golden star above their crest for every ten national championships won. Sliema Wanderers, Floriana and Valletta boast two golden stars, and [[Hibernians F.C.|Hibernians]] and [[Ħamrun Spartans F.C.|Ħamrun Spartans]] have one golden star placed above their crest on their jerseys. |
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{| class="wikitable sortable" |
{| class="wikitable sortable" |
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|- |
|- |
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|align=center|[[Mario Muscat]] |
|align=center|[[Mario Muscat]] |
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| |
|529 |
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⚫ | |||
|align=center|[[Andrew Cohen (footballer)|Andrew Cohen]] |
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|508 |
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⚫ | |||
|align=center|'''[[Roderick Briffa]]''' |
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|491 |
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⚫ | |||
|align=center|'''[[Paul Fenech (footballer)|Paul Fenech]]''' |
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|487 |
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⚫ | |||
|align=center|[[David Camilleri]] |
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|484 |
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⚫ | |||
|align=center|'''[[Clayton Failla]]''' |
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|470 |
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⚫ | |||
|align=center|[[Gilbert Agius]] |
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|453 |
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|- |
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|align=center|[[Ivan Woods]] |
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|446 |
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|- |
|- |
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|align=center|[[Brian Said]] |
|align=center|[[Brian Said]] |
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|429 |
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|- |
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|align=center|Tyrone Farrugia |
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|425 |
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|- |
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|align=center|[[Malcolm Licari]] |
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|425 |
|425 |
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|- |
|- |
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|align=center|[[Stefan Sultana]] |
|align=center|[[Stefan Sultana]] |
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|424 |
|424 |
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|- |
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|align=center|[[Jeffrey Chetcuti]] |
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|414 |
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|- |
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|align=center|Manolito Micallef |
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|400 |
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|} |
|} |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170228085647/http://www.mfa.com.mt/en/home.htm/ Malta Football Association] |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170228085647/http://www.mfa.com.mt/en/home.htm/ Malta Football Association] (archived 28 February 2017) |
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* [http://www.league321.com/malta-football.html League321.com] |
* [http://www.league321.com/malta-football.html League321.com] – Maltese football league tables, records and statistics database |
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* [https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/maltchamp.html List of champions and runners- |
* [https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/maltchamp.html List of champions and runners-up] – [[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|RSSSF]] |
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{{Maltese Premier League seasons}} |
{{Maltese Premier League seasons}} |
Latest revision as of 11:54, 20 October 2024
Organising body | Malta Football Association (MFA) |
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Founded | 1909 |
Country | Malta |
Confederation | UEFA |
Number of teams | 12 |
Level on pyramid | 1 |
Relegation to | Maltese Challenge League |
Domestic cup(s) | Maltese FA Trophy Maltese Super Cup |
International cup(s) | UEFA Champions League UEFA Conference League |
Current champions | Ħamrun Spartans (10th title) (2023–24) |
Most championships | Sliema Wanderers and Floriana (26 titles each) |
TV partners | TVMSport+ (Live Matches) |
Website | mfa.com.mt/premier-league |
Current: 2024–25 Maltese Premier League |
The Maltese Premier League, known as 360Sports Malta Premier for sponsorship reasons with 360Sports (colloquially known as Il-Kampjonat Premjer), is the highest level of professional football in Malta. Managed by the Malta Football Association, the Premier League is contested by 12 teams and operates on a promotion and relegation system with the Challenge League. As of June 2022, the Premier League ranks 46th out of 55 members in the UEFA coefficient.[1]
The league was first contested in 1909 as the First Division, before switching to its current name in 1980;[2] the First Division in turn replaced the Second Division. Sliema Wanderers and Floriana have won the title a record 26 times. The current champions are Ħamrun Spartans who won their 10th title in the 2023–24 season.
Format
[edit]- 5 clubs: 1909–1912
- 8 clubs: 1912–1913
- 7 clubs: 1913–1914
- 6 clubs: 1914–1917
- 8 clubs: 1917–1918
- 5 clubs: 1918–1919
- 6 clubs: 1919–1920
- 9 clubs: 1920–1921
- 7 clubs: 1921–1922
- 6 clubs: 1922–1923
- 5 clubs: 1923–1924
- 8 clubs: 1924–1925
- 7 clubs: 1925–1926
- 4 clubs: 1926–1927
- 7 clubs: 1927–1928
- 3 clubs: 1928–1929
- 5 clubs: 1929–1930
- 4 clubs: 1930–1933
- 2 clubs: 1933–1934
- 7 clubs: 1934–1935
- 3 clubs: 1935–1936
- 4 clubs: 1936–1945
- 7 clubs: 1945–1946
- 8 clubs: 1946–1964
- 7 clubs: 1964–1965
- 6 clubs: 1965–1967
- 8 clubs: 1967–1971
- 10 clubs: 1971–1980
- 8 clubs: 1980–1988
- 9 clubs: 1988–1991
- 10 clubs: 1991–2011
- 12 clubs: 2011–2017
- 14 clubs: 2017–2020
- 16 clubs: 2020–2021
- 12 clubs: 2021–2022
- 14 clubs: 2022–2024
- 12 clubs: 2024–
In a Premier League the league format, which will come into being from the 2024–25 season, the Maltese Premier League will be made up of 12 teams and be split into an Opening Round and Closing Round in a way that is similar to domestic footballing systems used in South America.[3][4] The Opening Round will see each of the 12 teams play each other once before the league is then split between a Top 6 and a Bottom 6, allowing for the teams in each of those splits to play each other another time. Once the ranking is set, each team will return to 0 points and start from scratch in the Closing Round, where the same process will be repeated. Teams receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. The club with the most points is crowned champions. Suppose two teams are level on points at the end of the season (to decide champions, for relegation or for UEFA competitions). In that case, there will be a play-off to decide the finishing order of the teams. If three or more teams are tied on points (to determine champions, for relegation or UEFA competitions), teams are ranked by Head-to-head points and the best two teams will play a play-off. The four lowest placed teams are relegated into the Challenge League
Clubs finishing the season in the top positions of the Premier League are granted qualification to compete in one of UEFA's European competitions. This is determined by Malta's position in the UEFA coefficient ranking system.
The league winner qualifies for the first qualifying round for the UEFA Champions League. The second- and third-placed teams qualify for the first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League. An additional Europa Conference League place is available through the country's domestic cup competition, the FA Trophy. If the winner of the FA Trophy qualifies for Europe through their league position, the fourth-placed team in the league qualifies for the UEFA Europa Conference League's first qualifying round.
League committees
[edit]The Premier Division Standing Committee (PDSC) is a body composed of the Premier League club presidents who represent their club on a board. These do not have executive powers but are a formal body that has official influence with regards to rules, regulations and issues that relate to the league. From time to time the committee makes proposals to the respective and MFA bodies for approval.
Venues
[edit]Ta' Qali | Ta' Qali | Paola | Hamrun | Xewkija | |
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Ta' Qali National Stadium | Centenary Stadium | Tony Bezzina Stadium | Victor Tedesco Stadium | Gozo Stadium | |
Capacity: 16,997 | Capacity: 3,000 | Capacity: 2,968 | Capacity: 1,962 | Capacity: 1,644 | |
Clubs
[edit]Seasons in Maltese Premier League
[edit]37 teams have taken part in the Maltese Premier League since the 1945-46 season (i.e. the season that introduced promotion and relegation, and during which the MFA changed the rules of the clubs that every locality they have to represent one club) until the 2024-25 season. Hibernians F.C. is the only team that has played Maltese Premier League football every season. Teams in bold participate in the 2024-25 season.
- 80 seasons: Hibernians F.C.
- 79 seasons: Floriana F.C., Valletta F.C.
- 78 seasons: Sliema Wanderers F.C.
- 70 seasons: Ħamrun Spartans F.C.
- 59 seasons: Birkirkara F.C.
- 28 seasons: Rabat Ajax F.C., St. George's F.C.
- 20 seasons: Naxxar Lions F.C.
- 18 seasons: Mosta F.C.
- 17 seasons: Gżira United F.C., Marsa F.C.
- 16 seasons: Pietà Hotspurs F.C., Qormi F.C., Tarxien Rainbows F.C., Żurrieq F.C.
- 14 seasons: Msida St. Joseph F.C.
- 13 seasons: Balzan F.C.
- 12 seasons: Marsaxlokk F.C.
- 11 seasons: Żebbuġ Rangers F.C.
- 10 seasons: Żabbar St. Patrick F.C., Melita F.C., St. Andrews
- 6 seasons: Senglea Athletic F.C.
- 5 seasons: Gudja United F.C., Lija Athletic F.C., Mqabba F.C., Santa Lucia F.C., Vittoriosa Stars F.C., Sirens F.C.
- 2 seasons: Pembroke Athleta F.C., Xgħajra Tornadoes F.C.
- 1 season: Dingli Swallows F.C., Għaxaq F.C., Gozo F.C., Mellieħa S.C., Żejtun Corinthians F.C.
- Teams in italics are defunct.
Champions
[edit]In total, ten clubs have won the Maltese championship, including titles in the old First Division which was replaced in 1980 by the Premier League.[5] Of the winners, three clubs have been champions more than 20 times: Sliema Wanderers (26 titles), Floriana (26 titles), and Valletta (25 titles).
The honour of Golden Stars was introduced in football to recognize sides that have won multiple championships. In Malta, clubs are permitted to place a golden star above their crest for every ten national championships won. Sliema Wanderers, Floriana and Valletta boast two golden stars, and Hibernians and Ħamrun Spartans have one golden star placed above their crest on their jerseys.
Bold teams are currently in the Maltese Premier League.
Italic: Season Unbeaten.
League appearances
[edit]Player | Matches |
---|---|
Mario Muscat | 529 |
Andrew Cohen | 508 |
Roderick Briffa | 491 |
Paul Fenech | 487 |
David Camilleri | 484 |
Clayton Failla | 470 |
Gilbert Agius | 453 |
Ivan Woods | 446 |
Brian Said | 429 |
Tyrone Farrugia | 425 |
Malcolm Licari | 425 |
Stefan Sultana | 424 |
Jeffrey Chetcuti | 414 |
Manolito Micallef | 400 |
Bold denotes still active players.
References
[edit]- ^ "UEFA Country Ranking 2019". kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl. July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on May 10, 2019. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
- ^ "The Premier League Is 25 years old". The Malta Independent. August 14, 2005. Archived from the original on October 20, 2018. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
- ^ Galea, Albert (April 24, 2024). "New Premier League explained: 'New format will not be damnation or salvation of Maltese football". Malta Independent.
- ^ Camilleri, Valhmor (April 13, 2023). "Number of Premier League teams down to 12 from 2024-25". SportsDesk. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ a b "Malta - List of Champions and Runners-Up". RSSSF. May 2, 2018. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
External links
[edit]- Malta Football Association (archived 28 February 2017)
- League321.com – Maltese football league tables, records and statistics database
- List of champions and runners-up – RSSSF