Liga Artzit

Liga Artzit ( _he. ליגה ארצית, lit. "State League") is the third tier of Israeli football after the Premier League and Liga Leumit, and is run by the Israel Football Association.

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There are 12 teams in Liga Artzit. Each team plays thirty three matches; the first 22 matches are played on a home and away basis, with the last 11 fixtures based on league positions after 22 games. Like the majority of leagues in the world, three points are awarded for a win, one for a draw and zero for a loss. Final League positions are determined firstly by points obtained, then by goal difference, then goals scored, and if necessary, a mini-league of the results between two or more teams ranked using the previous three criteria and finally a series of one or more play off matches.

In the past at the end of the season, providing they meet certain criteria, the top two teams have been promoted to Liga Leumit, and were replaced by the bottom two teams from that league. The teams finishing 11th and 12th in Liga Artzit were relegated to Liga Alef, where they were assigned to a geographically suitable division. They were replaced by the champions of Liga Alef North and Liga Alef South providing they meet criteria for entry into Liga Artzit.

However, the league will be abolished at the end of the 2008-09 season as part of structural reforms to the Israeli league system that will see the Premier League and Liga Leumit both expanded to 16 clubs. [ [http://football.org.il/Archive/Articles/Pages/LeagueIFAJune24_2008.aspx Reforming structure of the leagues - full plan] Israeli Football Association, 24 June 2008 he icon] At the end of the season the top seven clubs will be promoted to Liga Leumit; the 8th placed club will play off against the 11th placed club in Liga Leumit for a place in Liga Leumit, whilst the 9-12th placed clubs will be relegated to Liga Alef.

History

Liga Artzit came into existence in 1974 with a restructuring of Israeli football. It replaced Liga Alef as the second division (below Liga Leumit), and unlike its regionalised predecessor, was a nationwide league (hence its name). For its first season, Liga Artzit was comprised of 12 teams. Four teams were demoted from Liga Leumit as it was reduced in size, and the top four clubs from Liga Alef North and Liga Alef South were promoted. In later seasons the number of members varied, though the usual number of clubs was 14.

In 1999 Liga Artzit was demoted to the third tier after the creation of the Premier League. Since then it has consisted of 12 teams.

Previous seasons

¹ After promotion/relegation play-offs.

² Maccabi Ironi Kiryat Ata finished in 11th place, but were reprieved when Maccabi Ramat Amidar folded.

References

External links

* [http://football.org.il Israel Football Association] in Hebrew and English
* [http://www.soccerway.com/national/israel/liga-artzit/ Liga Artzit] Soccerway in English