Maltese Premier League
| File:MaltesePremierLeague.jpg | |
| Founded | 1909 |
|---|---|
| Country | Malta |
| Confederation | UEFA |
| Number of clubs | 12 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Relegation to | Maltese First Division |
| Domestic cup(s) | U*Bet FA Trophy |
| Current champions | Valletta (23rd title) (2015–16) |
| Most championships | Sliema Wanderers (26) |
| Website | MFA.com.mt |
| Current: 2016–17 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 2012–13 season, UEFA ranked the Maltese Premier League 44th out of 53 members in their coefficient calculation for UEFA club competitions.
Format
Each team plays each other three times. During every season, which is held between August and May, the 12 teams play against each other twice. Once each club had played 22 matches, each team has their points were halved (rounded up if the points don't equal a whole number, e.g. 31 points = 16 points when halved). Each team then plays each other once more after the halving of the points.
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 2011–12, as a result they gained a slot in UEFA club competitions, effective from the 2012–13 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 2012–13, the Maltese champions entered the first qualifying round of the Champions league.
2016–17 Maltese Premier League teams
- Balzan
- Birkirkara
- Floriana
- Gżira United (Promoted 2015–16 First Division '1st')
- Hamrun Spartans (Promoted 2015–16 First Division '2nd')
- Hibernians
- Luxol Saint Andrews
- Mosta
- Pembroke Athleta
- Sliema Wanderers
- Tarxien Rainbows
- Valletta
Champions
Here is a complete list of the past champions of the top level in Maltese football.[1]
Clubs by number of championships
| Titles | Team |
|---|---|
| 26 | Sliema Wanderers |
| 25 | Floriana |
| 23 | Valletta |
| 11 | Hibernians |
| 7 | Hamrun Spartans |
| 4 | Birkirkara |
| 2 | Rabat Ajax |
| 1 | Marsaxlokk |
| 1 | St. George's |
| 1 | King's Own Malta Regiment |
Top scorers
| Year | Best scorers | Team | Goals |
| 1994–95 |  Carl Saunders |
Sliema Wanderers | 18 |
| 1995–96 |  Aldrin Muscat |
Sliema Wanderers | 18 |
| 1996–97 |  Danilo Dončić |
Valletta | 32 |
| 1997–98 | Joe Brincat |
Birkirkara/Floriana | 19 |
| 1998–99 | Gilbert Agius |
Valletta | 20 |
| 1999–00 | Michael Mifsud |
Sliema Wanderers | 21 |
| 2000–01 | Michael Mifsud |
Sliema Wanderers | 30 |
| 2001–02 | Danilo Dončić |
Sliema Wanderers | 32 |
| 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 |
| 2005–06 | Michael Galea |
Birkirkara | 19 |
| 2006–07 | Daniel Bogdanović |
Marsaxlokk | 31 |
| 2007–08 |  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 |  Jose Luis Negrin |
Rabat Ajax Melita |
22 |
| 2013–14 | Johnhatan Edison |
Birkirkara Hibernians |
21 |
| 2014–15 | Edison Jorginho |
Hibernians Hibernians |
25 |
League appearances
| Player | Matches |
|---|---|
| Mario Muscat | 501 |
| Brian Said | 425 |
| Stefan Sultana | 424 |
Bold denotes still active players.
References
External links
- Malta Football Association
- League321.com – Maltese football league tables, records & statistics database.
- Malta – List of Champions and Runners-Up, RSSSF.com
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