Pakistan Premier League
![]() | |
Organising body | Pakistan Football Federation |
---|---|
Founded | 2004 |
Country | Pakistan |
Confederation | AFC |
Number of teams | 16 (2018–19) |
Level on pyramid | 1 |
Relegation to | PFFL B Division |
Domestic cup(s) | PFF National Challenge Cup |
International cup(s) | AFC Challenge League SAFF Club Championship |
Most championships | Khan Research Laboratories (5 titles) |
TV partners | PTV Sports Geo Super |
Current: 2018–19 Pakistan Premier League |
Seasons |
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The Pakistan Premier League (PPL; Urdu: پاکستان پریمیئر لیگ) is a Pakistani semi-professional league for men's football clubs. The top tier of the Pakistan football league system, the PPL operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the PFFL B Division. The league has remained inactive since the end of the 2018–19 season.[1]
Since inception of the Pakistan Premier League in 2004, four clubs have won the title: Khan Research Laboratories (5) WAPDA (4), Pakistan Army (2) and K-Electric (1).[2]
History
[edit]Origins
[edit]Pakistan's first highest level football competition began on 28 May 1948 as the National Football Championship. The league was a knock-out competition, which remained the top football league in the country until 2004 when the Pakistan Premier League was introduced.[3] National Football Championship featured teams representing cities or provinces, including teams from Dacca Division and Chittagong Division from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). Dacca Division won two back-to-back leagues, and Chittagong Division won the league only once.[1]
The 1948 Pakistan National Football Championship was the first season which ended with Sindh Red being crowned champions. The National Football League era though saw Karachi based Pakistan Airlines with most championships, winning the competition nine times with their first league title in 1971, with their last title win in the season of 1998–99.[1]
Foundation
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/48/PakistanPremierLeagueMap2004.png/220px-PakistanPremierLeagueMap2004.png)
In August 2003, major restructuring was undertaken by the Pakistan Football Federation with support of FIFA's Goal Programme. Several new training facilities were built across the country and a new Pakistan Football Federation Head Office was built in Lahore. Under new management, the Pakistan Football Federation restructured the National Football Championship and in 2004 introduced the National League Division A which contained 16 clubs, and the National League Division B with 5 clubs.[4]
Premier League (2006–present)
[edit]In 2006–07 season, the National League Division A Football League was renamed to the Pakistan Premier League while the National League Division B Football League was renamed to the PFF League. In the following 2007–08 season, the league was expanded to 14 clubs. For the 2010–11 season the league was expanded to 16 clubs.[5] The two bottom teams at the end of each Pakistan Premier League season would to be relegated to the PFF League, while the top 2 teams in the Football Federation League would be promoted to the Pakistan Premier League.[5]
Inactivity and suspensions (2015–present)
[edit]The league was suspended in 2015 due to the Pakistan Football Federation crisis,[6][7] until the lift on suspension by FIFA on 13 March 2018.[8] The 2018–19 season was ultimately organised by two different federations. Faisal Saleh Hayat-led Pakistan Football Federation, which was internationally recognised, started the league and non-FIFA recognised Ashfaq Hussain Shah group, which formed a parallel PFF, coming into power by third-party interference through the PFF elections conducted by the Supreme Court.[9][10][11]
After the suspension once again from all football activities by FIFA on 7 April 2021,[12][13] the 2021–22 season was initially organised by the Ashfaq Hussain Shah group, who again came to power after attacking and taking charge of the PFF office.[14] The tournament was suspended after a few months into the season and then cancelled.[15]
Clubs
[edit]The following 16 clubs competed in the last 2018–19 Pakistan Premier League season:
Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
---|---|---|---|
Afghan Chaman | Chaman | Jamal Nasir Stadiium | 12,000 |
Ashraf Sugar Mills | Bahawalpur | Railway Stadium | 5,000 |
Baloch Nushki | Nushki | Nushki Stadium | 10,000 |
Civil Aviation Authority | Karachi | Korangi Baloch Stadium | 5,000 |
K-Electric | Karachi | People's Football Stadium | 40,000 |
Karachi Port Trust | Karachi | Karachi Port Trust Stadium | 6,000 |
Khan Research Laboratories | Rawalpindi | KRL Ground | 8,000 |
Muslim | Quetta | Sadiq Shaheed Stadium | 5,000 |
National Bank | Karachi | Karachi Port Trust Stadium | 6,000 |
Pakistan Air Force | Islamabad | PAF Complex | 2,000 |
Pakistan Army | Rawalpindi | Army Stadium | 7,000 |
Pakistan Navy | Islamabad | PNS Karsaz Stadium | 5,000 |
Pakistan Airlines | Karachi | Korangi Baloch Stadium | 5,000 |
Sui Southern Gas | Karachi | Benazir Sports Complex | 20,000 |
Sui Northern Gas | Lahore | Railway Stadium | 5,000 |
WAPDA | Lahore | Punjab Stadium | 10,000 |
Champions
[edit]List of champions by season
[edit]For champions before the Premier League see List of Pakistan football champions.
Edition | Season | Champions | Runners-up | Third place |
---|---|---|---|---|
1st | 2004-05 | WAPDA | Pakistan Army | Khan Research Laboratories |
2nd | 2005-06 | Pakistan Army | WAPDA | Khan Research Laboratories |
3rd | 2006–07 | Pakistan Army | WAPDA | Khan Research Laboratories |
4th | 2007–08 | WAPDA | Pakistan Army | Khan Research Laboratories |
5th | 2008–09 | WAPDA | Pakistan Army | Khan Research Laboratories |
6th | 2009–10 | Khan Research Laboratories | Pakistan Army | WAPDA |
7th | 2010–11 | WAPDA | Khan Research Laboratories | Pakistan Airlines |
8th | 2011–12 | Khan Research Laboratories | Afghan Chaman | Pakistan Army |
9th | 2012–13 | Khan Research Laboratories | K-Electric | Muslim FC |
10th | 2013–14 | Khan Research Laboratories | K-Electric | WAPDA |
11th | 2014–15 | K-Electric | Pakistan Army | Pakistan Air Force |
12th | 2018–19 | Khan Research Laboratories | Pakistan Air Force | Sui Southern Gas |
n/a | 2021–22 | abandoned |
Most successful clubs
[edit]Team | Winners | Runners-up | Third place |
---|---|---|---|
Khan Research Laboratories | 5 (2009–10, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2018–19) | 1 (2010–11) | 5 (2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09) |
WAPDA | 4 (2004–05, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11) | 2 (2005–06, 2006–07) | 2 (2009–10, 2013–14) |
Pakistan Army | 2 (2005–06, 2006–07) | 5 (2004–05, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2014–15) | 1 (2011–12) |
K-Electric | 1 (2014–15) | 2 (2012–13, 2013–14) | — |
Pakistan Air Force | — | 1 (2018–19) | 1 (2014–15) |
Afghan Chaman | — | 1 (2011–12) | — |
Pakistan Airlines | — | — | 1 (2010–11) |
Muslim | — | — | 1 (2012–13) |
Sui Southern Gas | — | — | 1 (2018–19) |
Ranking
[edit]As of 26 August 2021[16]
Ranking | Member Association | Club Points | 100% | ACL 2023 (GS+PO) | AFC Cup 2023 (GS+PO) | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | 2020 | Mvmt | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Total | ||||
41 | 42 | ![]() | ![]() | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0 | 0+1 |
41 | 42 | ![]() | ![]() | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0 | 0+1 |
41 | 42 | ![]() | ![]() | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0 | 0+1 |
41 | 42 | ![]() | ![]() | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0 | 0+1 |
41 | 42 | ![]() | ![]() | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0 | 0+1 |
41 | 42 | ![]() | ![]() | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0 | 0+1 |
Structure
[edit]The Pakistan Premier League is directly under control of the Pakistan Football Federation. The PFF oversees all aspects of the league and makes unilateral decisions over any changes to the format, funding and sponsorship.
The league is essentially composed of departments, armed forces teams, and a group of local clubs.[17][18]
Competition format
[edit]Competition
[edit]There are currently 14 clubs in the PPL. The season lasts during the winter months stretching from November to February, with each club playing the others twice, once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents for a total of 26 games for each club, with a total of 210 games in each season. Each teams receives three points for a win and one point for a draw. Teams are ranked by total points, then goal difference and then goals scored. At the end of each season, the club with the most points is crowned as PPL Champion. At the end of the season, the two worst teams are relegated directly to the PFF League, while the top two teams in the PFF League are promoted to the PPL.
Qualification for Asian competitions
[edit]The top team in the PPL automatically qualified for the AFC President's Cup until its abolishment in 2014, it was the weakest branch of Asian Football, but the winner of the PPL would later be nominated for the AFC Cup from 2016. Technically, the PFF can nominate any team to represent them in Asia; however, only the team that finished top of their highest league are sent.
Sponsorship
[edit]Period | Sponsor | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
2009–10 | KASB Bank | PFF signed a partnership deal with KASB Bank, from 2009 to 2013. However, the deal was cancelled after just one season. | [19] |
Players
[edit]Pakistan Premier League clubs have almost complete freedom to sign whatever number and category of players they wish. There is no team or individual salary cap, no squad size limit, no age restrictions other than those applied by general employment law. Due to the nature of the league, some players tend to work for the company they play during the off season and top players can command respectable football salaries.
Media
[edit]PTV Sports was the official media partner of Pakistan Premier League. It showed live matches of the league while Geo Super showed highlights.
Awards
[edit]Top scorer
[edit]Year | Player/s | Club | Goals | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2004–05 | ![]() | WAPDA | 20 | [20] |
2005–06 | ![]() | Pakistan Army | 21 | [21] |
2006–07 | ![]() | WAPDA | 18 | [22] |
2007–08 | ![]() | WAPDA | 21 | [23] |
2008–09 | ![]() | Khan Research Laboratories | 22 | [24] |
2009–10 | ![]() | WAPDA | 20 | [25] |
2010–11 | ![]() | WAPDA | 21 | [26] |
2011–12 | ![]() | Afghan Chaman | 22 | [27] |
2012–13 | ![]() | Khan Research Laboratories | 35 | |
2013–14 | ![]() | Karachi Port Trust | 27 | [28] |
2014–15 | ![]() | K-Electric | 22 | [29] |
2018–19 | ![]() | Pakistan Army | 15 | [9] |
Most valuable player
[edit]Year | Player/s | Club | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
2004–05 | ![]() | WAPDA | [20] |
2005–06 | ![]() | Pakistan Telecommunication | [21] |
2006–07 | ![]() | Pakistan Telecommunication | [22] |
2007–08 | ![]() | Pakistan Army | [23] |
2008–09 | ![]() | Khan Research Laboratories | [24] |
2009–10 | ![]() | Pakistan Airlines | [25] |
2010–11 | ![]() | Pakistan Airlines | [26] |
2011–12 | ![]() | Khan Research Laboratories | [27] |
2012–13 | ![]() | Muslim | |
2013–14 | ![]() | Khan Research Laboratories | [28] |
2014–15 | ![]() | Pakistan Air Force | [29] |
![]() | Pakistan Air Force | [29] | |
2018–19 | ![]() | Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority | [9] |
Goalkeeper of the year
[edit]Fair play trophy
[edit]Year | Club | Ref. |
---|---|---|
2004–05 | Pakistan Telecommunication | [20] |
2005–06 | Pakistan Telecommunication | [21] |
2006–07 | Afghan Chaman | [22] |
2007–08 | Pakistan Television | [23] |
2008–09 | Afghan Chaman | [24] |
2009–10 | Pakistan Airlines | [25] |
2010–11 | Afghan Chaman | [26] |
2011–12 | Pakistan Airlines | [27] |
2012–13 | Zarai Taraqiati | |
2013–14 | Khan Research Laboratories | [28] |
2014–15 | Muslim | [29] |
2018–19 | Not awarded | [9] |
Criticism
[edit]The Pakistan Football Federation has been severely criticized for its non-serious attempts to increase the quality of football in the country.[17][18] The PFF cites claims of lack of funds from the government, however these claims are largely rejected by players and owners who agree that the PFF was severely mismanaged and corrupt. The league had an "amateurish" setup according to critics, which they claimed did not allow players to develop to the level they were capable of.[17] Pakistani clubs used to be considered as lightweight in comparison to other Asian clubs and defeats in the AFC President's Cup suggest that this may have some foundation. Another main criticism is the number of games played over a short period of time. One team could be forced to play three games in five days due to the congested fixture list.[17] The PFF's attempts to cut costs have led to players becoming exhausted.[18]
Departmental teams
[edit]Since the PFF has not made serious attempts to lure large businesses to invest in and sponsor teams, the league has a dominance of department and armed forces teams, which have resulted in poor attendances, with the best supported teams being the Balochistan clubs Afghan FC Chaman, Baloch Nushki and Muslim FC.[17] In stark contrast, the Karachi Football League, despite being a third level division, routinely attracts healthy audiences with the highlight being the 2008–09 final between Shahzad Mohammadan and Nazimabad FC where a huge crowd of over 18,000 witnessed proceedings at the KMC Stadium.[17]
The teams essentially survive on their department sport budgets, with the players sidelined as permanent employees than as professional footballers.[17] Private football clubs are severely strapped for cash and barely surviving a season.[17]
See also
[edit]- Football in Pakistan
- List of Pakistan football champions
- Pakistan Premier League Golden Boot
- Geo Super Football League
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Pakistan - List of Champions". www.rsssf.org. Archived from the original on 12 April 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
- ^ "FIFA, AFC committed to promoting soccer in Pakistan: PFF president". Nation.com.pk. 25 February 2014. Archived from the original on 4 October 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- ^ Ahsan, Ali (2 February 2011). "A history of football in Pakistan — Final part". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "Pakistan 2004". www.rsssf.org. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ a b "PFF approves two more teams in Premier League". Nation.com.pk. 12 August 2010. Archived from the original on 30 September 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- ^ Din, Tusdiq. "Three years without any football - can Pakistan recover?". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ Maryam, Hajira. "'Dark day': Pakistan football HQ attacked, women's event scrapped". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 24 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "FIFA lifts suspension on Pakistan Football Federation". The Express Tribune. 13 March 2018. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Wasim, Umaid (14 January 2019). "Contentious PPFL season ends with controversially-promoted team denied title". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ "The balance sheet | TNS - The News on Sunday". 23 January 2019. Archived from the original on 23 January 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ "The need for domestic football league | Sports | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ "FIFA suspends Chad and Pakistan football associations". FIFA. 7 April 2021. Archived from the original on 7 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "FIFA suspends Pakistan Football Federation". Asian Football Confederation. 7 April 2021. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "PPFL to begin in Multan from August 14". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ "Pakistan 2021/22". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
- ^ "AFC Club Competitions Ranking". Asian Football Confederation. Archived from the original on 10 July 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "In-depth: Pakistan football". DAWN.COM. 13 January 2013. Archived from the original on 25 May 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ a b c Sohail, Shahrukh (9 August 2020). "FOOTBALL: A LEAGUE FOR PAKISTAN FOOTBALL". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
- ^ "KASB to sponsor Premier Football League". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Pakistan 2004 (National League and Regional Championships)". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Pakistan 2005 (National Tournaments)". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Pakistan 2006/07 (National Tournaments)". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Pakistan 2007/08 (National Tournaments)". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Pakistan 2008/09 (National Tournaments)". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Pakistan 2009/10 (National Tournaments)". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d Agencies (31 December 2010). "PPFL concludes; Wapda stroll into AFC President's Cup". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d Reporter, The Newspaper's Sports (30 December 2011). "KRL clinch PPFL trophy". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d natasha.raheel (8 February 2014). "KRL retain PPFL title". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d e natasha.raheel (21 January 2015). "After four long years, K-Electric lift PPFL trophy". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)