Qatar Stars League
| File:Qatar Stars League.png | |
| Founded | 1963 |
|---|---|
| Country | Qatar |
| Confederation | AFC (Asia) |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Relegation to | Qatargas League |
| Domestic cup(s) | Emir Cup Crown Prince Cup Sheikh Jassem Cup |
| International cup(s) | AFC Champions League AFC Cup GCC Champions League |
| Current champions | Al-Sadd (14th title) (2018–19) |
| Most championships | Al-Sadd (14 titles) |
| TV partners | beIN Sports, Al Kass Sports |
| Website | qsl.com.qa |
| Current: 2019–20 Qatar Stars League | |
The Qatar Stars League (Arabic: دوري نجوم قطر), formerly known as the Q-League, also known as Qatar Premier League (QPL), is the highest professional league in Qatari football, with the next tier being the Qatargas League. The league's first season was played in 1963, although the first official season occurred in 1972. The club which has won the maximum cumulative championships is Al Sadd SC, with 14 titles, including the most recent league. The league currently features 14 clubs, with one club being demoted to make room for one club being promoted.
The Qatari league system provides 4 domestic cups that these clubs are able to participate in: the Emir of Qatar Cup, open to all teams in both the first and second divisions, the Qatar Crown Prince Cup a postseason tournament played by the top four first division teams, the Sheikh Jassem Cup, a prelude to the first division regular season, and the Qatari Stars Cup, a round-robin tournament played midseason. The league title has been won by 8 clubs since its inception.
League structure
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. The Qatar Stars League, previously known as the Q-League currently features 14 teams, with the 2nd division featuring 18 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.[1]
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. It was announced that in the 2013-14 season, the number of clubs in the top division would increase to 14, whereas the second division would increase to 18 clubs which includes the reserve teams of the top division clubs.[2]
There are currently 4 official amateur football leagues in Qatar. Three amateur leagues are under the jurisdiction of the Qatar Community Football League (QCFL), established by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, and the fourth, known as the Qatar Amateur League (QAL) is recognized by the QFA. Inaugurated in November 2013,[3] the QAL has 14 teams, all of which were established through the country's government, political and social sectors.[4]
It was announced on 15 April 2009 that no clubs would be relegated from the top flight in the 2008–09 Qatar Stars League season, due to expansion reasons, however the announcement was made with only one game remaining.[5] That year, the top league expanded to 12 clubs. In May 2013, the QFA again expanded the league by two more teams, bringing the total number of clubs in the first division to 14.[6]
History
The first unofficial 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.[7]
In 1972–73, the first official season was played.[8] Al Estaqlal, now known as Qatar SC, won the first championship.
The first time there was a playoff for the championship was in 1980, between Al Sadd and Al Arabi. Al Sadd won the match 1–0.[7]
Although a second division had been in place for some time, there was no relegation or promotion system. However, in 1981, such a system was put in place for the first time. Five clubs participated in the second division that year.[7]
In 1984–85, there was no relegation or promotion due to the participation of a majority of the Qatari players within the national team, who were then preparing for the qualification rounds of the 1986 FIFA World Cup.[7]
In 1994, for one season, the QFA launched a new system where matches ending in draws would end in a penalty shoot-out to determine the winner. This was put in place in an effort to improve attendance.[7]
Three second division clubs were dissolved in the 1990 season: Al Nasr, Al Tadamon, and Al Nahda. Many of their players were distributed to first division clubs and became prominent players in Qatari football history, such as Fahad Al Kuwari, Ahmed Al Kuwari and Hamad Al Khalifa. After the dissolution of these clubs, there was no longer any relegation or promotion for five years. In 1995/96, the second division was brought back with five clubs, while there ten clubs participating in the first division.[7]
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 de Boer, Pep Guardiola, and Gabriel Batistuta soon appeared in the league.[9]
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 Abdelkarim Hassan, Saad Al Sheeb, and Ibrahim Majid.[10]
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.[5] As part of the expansion campaign, the "Q-League" changed its name to what it is currently known as, "Qatar Stars League",[11] and inaugurated a new domestic cup, the "Qatari Stars Cup".[12]
Qatar Stars League member clubs
Table as of 2018–19 Season:
| Qatar Stars League | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Club | Location | Stadium | Year Formed |
| Al Ahli Doha | Doha | Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium | 1950 |
| Al-Arabi Doha | Doha | Grand Hamad Stadium | 1952 |
| Al-Gharafa | Al-Gharafa, Al-Rayyan | Thani bin Jassim Stadium | 1979 |
| Al Kharaitiyat | Al Kharaitiyat, Umm Salal | Al-Khawr Stadium | 1996 |
| Al-Khor | Al Khor City, Al Khor | Al-Khawr Stadium | 1961 |
| Al Rayyan | Al Rayyan | Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium | 1967 |
| Al Sadd | Al Sadd | Khalifa International Stadium | 1969 |
| Al Sailiya | Doha | Ahmed bin Ali Stadium | 1995 |
| Al-Wakrah | Al Wakrah | Al-Wakrah Stadium | 1959 |
| El Jaish (Army Club) | Duhail, Doha | Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium | 2007 |
| Al-Duhail SC | Doha | Al-Gharafa Stadium | 2009 |
| Mesaimeer | Mesaimeer, Al Rayyan | Al-Sailiya Stadium | 1998 |
| Qatar SC | Al Dafna, Doha | Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium | 1959 |
| Umm Salal | Umm Salal | Grand Hamad Stadium | 1996 |
- Al-Maref, a club representing the Ministry of Education and composed entirely of foreigners, was dissolved in 1966-67 by decision of the QFA and its players distributed to other clubs;[13]
- In 1971–72 Al-Wehda and Al-Tahrir merged into Al-Arabi SC;[13]
- In 1971–72 Al-Ahli and Al-Najha merged into Al Ahli SC;[13]
- In 1971–72 Al-Oruba and Al Nasour merged into Al-Esteqlal, which was renamed Qatar SC again in 1981[13]
- Al-Qadisiya renamed as Al-Sailiya SC in 2003[14]
- Al Ittihad Doha renamed as Al-Gharafa SC in 2004[15]
- Al-Hilal renamed as Al Kharaitiyat SC in 2004[16]
- Al-Tadamun renamed as Umm Salal SC in 2004[17]
- Al-Ittifaq renamed as Al-Markhiya in 2004[18]
- Al-Shoala renamed as Al-Mesaimeer in 2004[19]
- Al-Nasr renamed as Al-Shahania in 2004[20]
- Al-Shabab renamed as Muaither SC in 2004[21]
Championship history
The champions are:[13]
- 1963–64: Al-Maref
- 1964–65: Al-Maref
- 1965–66: Al-Maref
- 1966–67: Al-Oruba
- 1967–68: Al-Oruba
- 1968–69: Al-Oruba
- 1969–70: Al-Oruba
- 1970–71: Al-Oruba
- 1971–72: Al-Sadd SC
- 1972–73: Al-Esteqlal
- 1973–74: Al-Sadd SC
- 1974–75: no champion
- 1975–76: Al-Rayyan SC
- 1976–77: Al-Esteqlal
- 1977–78: Al-Rayyan SC
- 1978–79: Al-Sadd SC
- 1979–80: Al-Sadd SC
- 1980–81: Al-Sadd SC
- 1981–82: Al-Rayyan SC
- 1982–83: Al-Arabi SC
- 1983–84: Al-Rayyan SC
- 1984–85: Al-Arabi SC
- 1985–86: Al-Rayyan SC
- 1986–87: Al-Sadd SC
- 1987–88: Al-Sadd SC
- 1988–89: Al-Sadd SC
- 1989–90: Al-Rayyan SC
- 1990–91: Al-Arabi SC
- 1991–92: Al-Ittihad
- 1992–93: Al-Arabi SC
- 1993–94: Al-Arabi SC
- 1994–95: Al-Rayyan SC
- 1995–96: Al-Arabi SC
- 1996–97: Al-Arabi SC
- 1997–98: Al-Ittihad
- 1998–99: Al-Wakrah SC
- 1999–2000: Al-Sadd SC
- 2000–01: Al-Wakrah SC
- 2001–02: Al-Ittihad
- 2002–03: Qatar SC
- 2003–04: Al-Sadd SC
- 2004–05: Al-Gharafa SC
- 2005–06: Al-Sadd SC
- 2006–07: Al-Sadd SC
- 2007–08: Al-Gharafa SC
- 2008–09: Al-Gharafa SC
- 2009–10: Al-Gharafa SC
- 2010–11: Lekhwiya SC
- 2011–12: Lekhwiya SC
- 2012–13: Al-Sadd SC
- 2013–14: Lekhwiya SC
- 2014–15: Lekhwiya SC
- 2015–16: Al-Rayyan SC
- 2016–17: Lekhwiya SC
- 2017–18: Al-Duhail SC
- 2018–19: Al-Sadd SC
Most successful clubs
| # | Club | Champions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al-Sadd SC | 14 |
| 2 | Qatar SC | 8 |
| 3 | Al-Rayyan SC | 8 |
| 4 | Al-Gharafa SC | 7 |
| 5 | Al-Arabi SC | 7 |
| 6 | Al-Duhail SC | 6 |
| 7 | Al-Maref | 3 |
| 8 | Al-Wakrah SC | 2 |
Total titles won by region
| Region | Number of titles | Clubs |
|---|---|---|
| Doha | Al-Sadd SC (14), Qatar SC (8), Al-Arabi SC (7), Lekhwiya SC (6), Al Maref (3) | |
| Al Rayyan | Al-Rayyan SC (8), Al-Gharafa SC (7) | |
| Al Wakrah | Al-Wakrah SC (2) | |
| Al Khor | ||
| Al Shamal | ||
| Umm Salal |
Post-season awards
An award system was developed in 2006 in which the best player and coach of the footballing season are selected by a panel of journalists. Each award winner receives $100,000.[22][23] There are also awards for youth players and club staff.
Top goalscorers
Source:[26]
By player
| Rank | Player | Country | Titles | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mansoor Muftah |  Qatar |
4 | 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1985–86 |
| 2 | Mubarak Mustafa | Qatar |
3 | 1991–92, 1992–93, 1996–97 |
| 2 | Younis Mahmoud |  Iraq |
3 | 2006–07, 2009–10, 2010–11 |
| 4 | Baghdad Bounedjah |  Algeria |
2 | 2016–17, 2018–19 |
| 4 | Hassan Sabela | Qatar |
2 | 1986–87, 1990–91 |
| 4 | Alboury Lah |  Senegal |
2 | 1996–97, 1997–98 |
| 4 | Mohammed Salem Al-Enazi | Qatar |
2 | 1994–95, 1999–2000 |
| 4 | Dioko Kaluyituka |  Democratic Republic of the Congo |
2 | 2013–14, 2014–15 |
| 4 | Youssef El-Arabi |  Morocco |
2 | 2016–17, 2017–18 |
By country
| Country | Players | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Qatar
|
23 | 14 |
 Brazil
|
7 | 7 |
| Morocco
|
5 | 4 |
| Algeria
|
3 | 4 |
| Senegal
|
3 | 2 |
| Iraq
|
3 | 1 |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo
|
2 | 1 |
 Iran
|
1 | 1 |
 Argentina
|
1 | 1 |
 Egypt
|
1 | 1 |
 Lebanon
|
1 | 1 |
References
- ^ "Heir Apparent Cup finals" (in Arabic). Al Kass. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ "QSL confirms expansion move". Doha Stadium Plus. 7 May 2013. Archived from the original on 9 May 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
- ^ "Qatar Amateur League". Qatar Stars League. Archived from the original on 6 March 2014.
- ^ "Amateur League kick-off on Nov 11". Doha Stadium Plus. 13 November 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
- ^ a b "Qatar Stars League (QSL)". mail.asiancup2011.com.qa. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ "QSL expands to 14 teams". Qatar Sports Today. 8 May 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f دوري نجوم قطر. mail.asiancup2011.qa (in Arabic). Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ "« عن الريان « تاريخ النادي" (in Arabic). Al Rayyan Club. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012.
- ^ "Football in Qatar". Qatar Visitor. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012.
- ^ "Champ magazine, issue 7". Aspire Academy. December 2014. p. 9. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ Matthias Krug (29 August 2009). "An Asian armada sets sail for Europe". ESPN FC. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ "QNB The Exclusive Partner of QATAR STARS CUP". QNB. 14 October 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ a b c d e "Qatar — List of Champions". RSSSF. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
- ^ "Al Sailiya SC". Welt Fussbal Archiv. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ "Al Gharafa SC". Welt Fussbal Archiv. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ "Al Kharaitiyath SC". Welt Fussbal Archiv. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ "Umm-Salal SC". Welt Fussbal Archiv. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ "Al Markhiya SC". Welt Fussbal Archiv. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ "Al Mesaimeer SC". Welt Fussbal Archiv. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ "Al Shahaniya SC". Welt Fussbal Archiv. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ "Al Mu'aidar SC". Welt Fussbal Archiv. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g "QFA to name Player of the Year on Sunday". Qatar Football Association. Archived from the original on 17 May 2012.
- ^ QFA announce $100,000 for best player Doha Press.
- ^ "Tabata & Aguirre named season heroes". Qatar Stars League. 13 May 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ "Sadd's Khalfan, Raul, Amotta shine at QFA awards gala". Gulf Times. 20 May 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- ^ "Qatar - List of Topscorers". rsssf.com. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
External links
- QSL Official website
- QFA Official website
- Qatar Stars League - worldfootball.net (multilingual)
- Qatar Stars League - goal.com
- Qatar Stars League - Hailoosport.com (Arabic)
- Qatar Stars League - Hailoosport.com
- Qatari Football on Twitter
| National teams | |
|---|---|
| World Cup hosting | |
| League competitions | |
| Domestic cup competitions | |
| International cup competitions | |
| Rivalries and derbies | |
| Lists and categories | |