Timorese football league system explained

The Timorese Football League System, also known as the football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for association football clubs in Timor-Leste.

History

Portuguese Timor era (1900–1975)

From 1900 to 1975, the competition was known as Campeonato Nacional de Timor and was divided into three tiers. The first tier was Campeonato Nacional da 1ª Divisão, while the second tier, Campeonato Nacional da 2ª Divisão, was divided into two regions, North and South. The third tier, Campeonato Nacional da 3ª Divisão or Campeonato Distrital da 1ª Divisão, was divided into separate districts in parallel.

LevelLeague(s)/Division(s)
1Campeonato Nacional 1ª Divisão
2Campeonato Nacional 2ª Divisão
3Campeonato Nacional 3ª Divisão
4Campeonato Distrital

Timor Timur era (1976–1999)

The competition was part of Perserikatan until 1994 and Liga Indonesia Second Division zone qualification from 1995 to 1999.

Independent era (2000–present)

The top division is the Super Liga (which is sometimes referred to as Level 1 of the league 'pyramid'), containing 8 clubs and best 4 clubs from Liga Pre, all of which, as of the 2010–11 season, are based in East Timor. Below the Super Liga is Timorese Liga Pre, which is divided into two groups of 4-5 clubs each: Liga Pre Group 1 and Liga Pre Group 2. The third tier is the Taça Digicel, containing 14 clubs and it is divided into three groups of 4-5 clubs each.

LevelLeague(s)/Division(s)
1Super Liga Timorense
2Timorense Liga Pre
3Taça Digicel

In 2015, FFTL officially launched the national amateur league named Liga Futebol Amadora (LFA). Designed to allow local footballers to flourish, the LFA gives a home to amateur football in Timor Leste, and ignites the potential to create a gateway to professional football.[1]

LevelLeague(s)/Division(s)
1Liga Futebol Amadora Primeira Divisão
2Liga Futebol Amadora Segunda Divisão

Cup eligibility

Being members of a league at a particular level also affects eligibility for Cup, or single-elimination, competitions.

Levels 1 and 2; with details 8 clubs Level 1, 13 clubs Level 2.

Champions of Level 1 and winner of cup competition.

Promotion and relegation

  1. Primeira Divisão (level 1, 8 teams): The Bottom two teams are relegated.
  2. Segunda Divisão (level 2, 13 teams): The champions and runner-up are promoted.

Men's

LevelLeague(s)/Division(s)
1Liga Futebol Amadora Primeira Divisão
8 clubs[2]
↓↑ 2 clubs
2Liga Futebol Amadora Segunda Divisão
12 clubs

Top-tier champions

ClubWinnersRunners-upWinning year
Fima Sporting102005-06
Sport Laulara e Benfica102016
AD Esperança01-
Karketu Dili FC01-

Notes and References

  1. News: Timor Leste launch stepping-stone league to build pro-club base. Eric Noveanto . footballchannel.asia. December 4, 2015.
  2. Web site: TimorPost. www.diariutimorpost.tl. 2017-11-24.