Maltese Premier League
| File:MaltesePremierLeague.jpg | |
| Founded | 1909 |
|---|---|
| Country |  Malta |
| Confederation | UEFA |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Relegation to | Maltese First Division |
| Domestic cup(s) | U*Bet FA Trophy |
| Current champions | Valletta (22nd title) (2013–14) |
| Most championships | Sliema Wanderers (26) |
| Website | MFA.com.mt |
| Current: 2013–14 Maltese Premier League | |
The Maltese Premier League, known as BOV Premier League for sponsorship reasons (colloquially known as Il-Kampjonat, Il-Lig, or Il-Premjer), is the top level league for football in Malta. The league was first competed in 1909. In the Maltese football system, there are three divisions under the Premier League, they are; the First, Second and Third divisions.
Prior to 1980, the top level of the Maltese Football League was known as the First Division; however, it was renamed the Premier League and has stayed so since, with the First Division (formerly known as the Second Division) one level lower.
At the end of the 2012-2013 season, UEFA ranked the Maltese Premier League 44th out of 53 members in their coefficient calculation for UEFA club competitions.
Format
The league competition is based on two rounds. During every season, which is held between August and May, in the first round all the 10 teams played against each other two times. When each club had played 18 matches the division was split in two and points were halved. The first six teams participated in the Championship Pool and the last four teams played in The Relegation Pool.
On January 13, 2011, however, a proposal from the Premier League Standing Committee was approved by the Malta Football Association Council to have the league expanded to 12 teams as from season 2011–12.[1]
Premier League Standing Committee
The Premier League Standing Committee 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.
UEFA rankings
Malta rose four places in the UEFA League Coefficient in 2010–11 and a further 3 in 2011–2012, as a result they gained a slot in UEFA club competitions, effective from the 2012-2013 season. The champions enter the second qualifying round of the Champions League, while the Maltese Cup winners and two further teams, based on league performance, enter the First Qualifying Round of the Europa League. Prior to the 2012-2013, the Maltese champions entered the first qualifying round of the Champions league.
2014–15 Maltese Premier League teams
- Balzan
- Birkirkara
- Floriana
- Hibernians
- Mosta
- Naxxar Lions
- Qormi
- Pietà Hotspurs (Promoted last 2013-14 season)
- Sliema Wanderers
- Tarxien Rainbows
- Valletta
- Zebbug Rangers (Promoted last 2013-14 season)
Champions
Here is a complete list of the past champions of the top level in Maltese football.[2]
Clubs by number of championships
| Titles | Team |
|---|---|
| 26 | Sliema Wanderers |
| 25 | Floriana |
| 22 | Valletta |
| 10 | Hibernians |
| 7 | Ħamrun Spartans |
| 4 | Birkirkara |
| 2 | Rabat Ajax |
| 1 | Marsaxlokk |
| 1 | St. George's |
King's Own Malta Regiment (1)
Top scorers
| Year | Best scorers | Team | Goals |
| 1994–95 |  Carl Saunders |
Sliema Wanderers | 18 |
| 2002–03 |  Danilo Dončić Michael Galea Adrian Mifsud |
Sliema Wanderers Birkirkara Hibernians |
18 |
| 2003–04 | Danilo Dončić |
Sliema Wanderers | 19 |
| 2004–05 | Andrew Cohen |
Hibernians | 21 |
| 2006–07 | Daniel Bogdanović |
Marsaxlokk | 31 |
| 2007–08 |  Omar Sebastián Monesterolo |
Valletta | 19 |
| 2008–09 | Terence Scerri |
Hibernians | 26 |
| 2009–10 |  Camilo |
Qormi | 24 |
| 2010–11 |  Alfred Effiong |
Marsaxlokk | 17 |
| 2011–12 | Obinna Obiefule |
Marsaxlokk Mosta |
34 |
| 2012–13 |  José Luis Armario Negrin |
Rabat Ajax Melita |
22 |
| 2013–14 | Johnhatan | Edison |
Birkirkara |Hibernians |
21 |
League appearances
| Player | Matches |
|---|---|
| Mario Muscat | 485 |
| Brian Said | 425 |
| Stefan Sultana | 424 |
Bold denotes still active players.
References
External links
- MaltaFootball.com website
- League321.com - Maltese football league tables, records & statistics database.
- Malta - List of Champions and Runners-Up, RSSSF.com
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