Kurdistan Premier League
| Founded | 2006 |
|---|---|
| Region | Kurdistan - Iraq |
| Confederation | Unaffiliated |
| Number of teams | 15 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Top goalscorer | diar Rahman (17 goals) |
The Kurdistan Premier League is the foremost association football league in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It is overseen by the Iraqi Kurdistan Football Association.[1] The league is not officially recognized by FIFA or any of its confederations, therefore cannot compete in their continental or intercontinental competitions.[2] The season runs from August and finishes in May, with each playing twenty six matches each. During the season, clubs compete for the Kurdistan Cup, which follows with the Kurdistan Super Cup, a contest held between league winners and the cup winners.
The current champions are New Sirwan SC, who have just won their first league title.
History
The first season was the 2006/07 season, which saw Duhok Football Club crowned as the first champions.
Only nine clubs participated in the 2017/18 Kurdistan Premier League season, which did not start until February 2018 after five teams pulled out. Kurd striker Dyar Ali broke the record for highest goals scored, with 17 goals in one season, previously held by Brazilian striker Thiago Amaral with 12 goals in one season. The club with the highest cups is Zeravani SC with 4 cups, followed by Erbil SC with 3.
Current members
- Shaqlawa FC
- Peshmerge Hawler SC
- Brayati FC
- Handren SC
- Saidsadq SC
- Chamchamal FC
- Zakho FC
- Soran SC
- Sherwana SC
- New Sirwan SC
- Duhok SC
- Ararat SC
- Darbandikhan FC
- Akrè FC
- Chwarqwrna FC
Champions
| Season | club |
|---|---|
| 2006-07 | Duhok SC |
| 2007-08 | Brusk SC |
| 2008-09 | Brusk SC |
| 2009-10 | Erbil SC |
| 2010-11 | Handren SC |
| 2011-12 | Erbil SC |
| 2012-13 | Zeravani SC |
| 2013-14 | Zeravani SC |
| 2014-15 | Zeravani SC |
| 2015-16 | Erbil SC |
| 2016-17 | Peshmerga Hawler SC |
| 2017-18 | Zeravani SC |
| 2018-19 | Peshmerga Hawler SC |
| 2019-20 | Newroz |
| 2020-21 | Brayati FC |
| 2021-22 | New Sirwan SC |
References
- ^ "Kurdish football prospers in new Iraq". 2006-12-14. Retrieved 2019-02-10.
- ^ Rabas, Words: Jack Losh Film: Sebastien; Losh, Jack (2016-10-14). "The rebel World Cup: on the road with Kurdistan's football team". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-02-10.