Qatar Stars League
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| Countries |  Qatar |
|---|---|
| Confederation | AFC |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Levels on pyramid | 1 |
| Relegation to | Qatari 2nd Division |
| Domestic cup(s) | Emir Cup Crown Prince Cup Sheikh Jassem Cup Stars Cup |
| International cup(s) | AFC Champions League, AFC Cup Gulf Club Champions Cup |
| Current champions | Lekhwiya (2010–11) |
| Most championships | Al-Sadd (12) |
| TV partners | Al Jazeera Sports, Al-Kass |
| Website | qsl.com.qa |
 2011-12 Qatar Stars League |
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The Qatar Stars League (Arabic: دوري نجوم قطر) is the highest professional league in Qatari football. There is also a second division league in Qatar.
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[edit] League structure
The Qatar Stars League has slowly expanded since the turn of the decade, moving from 9 clubs to 10 clubs and then latest setup of 12 clubs for the Qatari League 2009-10 campaign.
There are 2 divisions in the Qatari football structure and the league has previously seen one club promoted and relegated each year except in expansion seasons.
It was announced on 15 April 2009 that no clubs would be relegated from the top flight in the Qatari League 2008-09 season, due to expansion reasons, however the announcement was made with only one game remaining.[1] The Qatar Stars League, previously known as the Q-League currently features 12 teams, with the 2nd division featuring 6 teams.
The top four clubs at the end of the regular league system participate in the Qatar Crown Prince Cup, which was formed in the 1994/95 season.
[edit] History
The first season of the Qatar Stars League was the 1963/64 season, 3 years after the formation of the QFA. Similarly, a second division was also created during this time. For many years, there was no promotion or relegation system.
In 2009, no clubs were relegated from the top division. Due to the recent formation of Lekhwiya and El Jaish, this meant that the second division would lose two clubs while two more clubs would enter the first division, bringing the total number of clubs in the first division to 12, and the second division to 6. As part of the expansion campaign, the "Q-League" changed its name to what it is currently known as, "Qatar Stars League", and inaugurated a new domestic cup, the "Qatari Stars Cup".
Another method the QFA attempted to develop the league was allocating each Q-League club with a sum of $10,000,000 to buy big-name foreign players in order to increase popularity in 2003. It succeeded, and players such as Ronald and Frank Deboer, Pep Guardiola, and Gabriel Batistuta soon appeared in the league.[2]
In addition, in 2004, the Aspire Academy was formed, which provides world-class training facilities to young people in order to not only improve the footballing standard in Qatar, but internationally. Many notable players have graduated from the academy, including Murad Naji, Saad Al Sheeb, and Ibrahim Majid.
[edit] Official logos
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Up to 2008
Q-League -
2009-present
Qatar Stars League
[edit] Qatari Stars League member clubs
- Table as of 2011-12 Season
| Qatar Stars League | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Club | Location | Stadium | Year Formed |
| Al-Ahly Doha | Doha | Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium | 1950 |
| Al-Arabi Doha Sports Club | Doha | Grand Hamad Stadium | 1952 |
| Al-Gharafa Sports Club | Al-Gharafa, Al-Rayyan | Thani bin Jassim Stadium | 1979 |
| Al-Jaish (Army Club) | Duhail | Ahmed bin Ali Stadium | 2007 |
| Al-Kharitiyath Sports Club | Al-Rayyan | Ahmed bin Ali Stadium | 1996 |
| Al-Khor Sports Club | Al Khor | Al-Khawr Stadium | 1961 |
| Al-Rayyan Sports Club | Al-Rayyan | Ahmed bin Ali Stadium | 1967 |
| Al-Sadd Sports Club | Al-Sadd, Doha | Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium | 1969 |
| Al-Wakrah Sports Club | Al Wakrah | Al-Wakrah Stadium | 1959 |
| Lekhwiya | Doha | Al-Gharafa Stadium | 1938 |
| Qatar SC | Al Dafna, Doha | Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium | 1959 |
| Umm-Salal Sports Club | Umm Salal | Thani bin Jassim Stadium | 1996 |
- Al-Maref were dissolved in 1966/67 and its players distriubuted to other clubs (for unknown reasons);
- In 1971/72 Al-Wehda and Al-Tahrir merged into Al-Arabi;
- In 1971/72 Al-Ahli and Al-Najha merged into Al-Ahli;
- In 1971/72 Al-Oruba and Qatar merged into Al-Esteqlal, which was renamed Qatar SC again in 1981
- Al-Qadisiya changed name to Al Saliya in 2003
- Al Ittihad Doha renamed Al-Gharafa in 2004
- Al-Hilal renamed name to Al-Kharitiyath in 2004
- Al-Tadamun changed name to Umm-Salal in 2004
- Al-Ittifaq changed name to Al-Markhiya in 2004
- Al-Shoala changed name to Al-Mesaimeer in 2004
- Al-Nasr changed name to Al-Shahaniya in 2004
- Al-Shabab changed name to Al-Mu'aidar in 2004
[edit] Championship history
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[edit] Most successful clubs
| # | Club | Champions | Runners-Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al-Sadd | 12 | 4 |
| 2 | Qatar SC | 8 | 5 |
| 3 | Al-Rayyan Sports Club | 7 | 5 |
| 4 | Al-Gharafa Sports Club | 7 | 2 |
| 5 | Al-Arabi Sports Club | 7 | 1 |
| 6 | Al Maref | 3 | 0 |
| 7 | Al-Wakrah Sports Club | 2 | 0 |
| 8 | Lekhwiya | 1 | 0 |
| 9 | Al-Ahli (Doha) | 0 | 1 |
[edit] Total titles won by town or city
| Town or city | Number of titles | Clubs |
|---|---|---|
| Doha |
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Al-Sadd (12), Qatar SC (8), Al-Gharafa Sports Club (7), Al-Arabi Sports Club (7), Al Maref (3), Lekhwiya (1) |
| Al Rayyan |
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Al-Rayyan Sports Club (7) |
| Al Wakrah |
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Al-Wakrah Sports Club (2) |
[edit] Total titles won by region
| Region | Number of titles | Clubs |
|---|---|---|
| Doha |
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Al-Sadd (12), Qatar SC (8), Al-Gharafa Sports Club (7), Al-Arabi Sports Club (7), Al Maref (3), Lekhwiya (1) |
| Ar Rayyan |
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Al-Rayyan Sports Club (7) |
| Al Wakrah |
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Al-Wakrah Sports Club (2) |
| Al Ghuwariyah |
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| Al Jumaliyah |
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| Al Khawr |
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| Jariyan al Batnah |
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| Madinat ash Shamal |
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| Umm Salal |
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| Mesaieed |
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[edit] Topscorers
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- QSL Official website (English)
- QFA Official website (English)
- Qatar League - goalzz.com
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