Poafmersian football league system (2095-2099)
The Poafmersian football league system, also known as the Poafmersian football pyramid, was a series of interconnected leagues for men's association football clubs in Poafmersia. The system has a hierarchical format with promotion and relegation between leagues at different levels, allowing even the smallest club the theoretical possibility of ultimately rising to the very top of the system. There is, however, a break between the league at level 5 and level 6, which separates semi-professional clubs from amateur clubs.
As Poafmersia's football league is of mixed-gender, any reference to a football league system refers to this system.
About
The system consists of a pyramid of leagues, bound together by the principle of promotion and relegation. A certain number of the most successful clubs in each league can rise to a higher league, whilst those that finish the season at the bottom of their league can find themselves sinking down a level. In addition to sporting performance, promotion is usually contingent on meeting criteria set by the higher league, especially concerning appropriate facilities and finances. Therefore, although an amateur club may not have a direct path to rise to the very top of the system, there certainly is significant movement within the pyramid.
The top five levels contain one division each and are nationwide in scope. These leagues are widely defined as the Poafmersian League, as they contain all off the professional and semi-professional clubs. On the other hand, most of the part-time football clubs are found at level 6 and below.
Structure
The first 5 levels of the system are well defined, as the are under the oversight of the Poafmersia Football Association (PFFA). All 5 levels of the football system are of a single nation-wide league. At the very top is the PFFA Premier League (Level 1, widely referred to as the "top-flight"), consisting of 20 clubs. Below the Poafmersian Premier League is the PFFA Super League (Level 2), comprising of another 20 clubs. All the clubs in the top 2 levels are of professional status, and both leagues are directly managed by PFFA. Below is the Poafmerisa National League (Level 3-5), comprising of 3 divisions of 22 clubs each (from Season 4). While Poafmersia National League 1 (Level 3), comprises of mostly professional clubs, the remainder of the Poafmersia National League comprises of semi-professional clubs. Below the Poafmersia National League, it is the beginning of non-League football. Officially, these leagues are managed by various state football associations, and do not fall under the management of the PFFA. There are plans to integrate these state-based leagues into the Poafmersia Football League, and the manner of the integration has been under discussion.
Promotion/Relegation Structure
- PFFA Premier League (level 1, 20 teams): The bottom 2 teams are relegated; the 3rd and 4th from bottom plays a single-leg playoff game with the loser gaining the third relegation spot.
- PFFA Super League (level 2, 20 teams): Top 3 teams promoted. The bottom 3 teams are relegated.
- PF National League 1 (level 3, 22 teams): The top 2 teams are automatically promoted; the next four compete in playoffs, with the winner gaining the third promotion spot. The bottom 2 teams are relegated.
- PF National League 2 (level 4, 22 teams): The top 2 teams are promoted. The bottom 2 teams are relegated.
- PF National League 3 (level 5, 22 teams): The top 2 teams are promoted. Up to 1-2 teams may be relegated, subject to whether there is any teams that will be promoted from the respective state leagues
The System
Below is a summary of the top 5 levels in the pyramid.
| Level | League/Division | Number of Clubs | Promotion | Relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PFFA Premier League | 20 clubs | – | 3 clubs |
| 2 | PFFA Super League | 20 clubs | 3 clubs | 3 clubs |
| 3 | PF National League 1 | 22 clubs | 3 clubs | 2 clubs |
| 4 | PF National League 2 | 22 clubs | 2 clubs | 2 clubs |
| 5 | PF National League 3 | 22 clubs | 2 clubs | – |