Fiji Premier League
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Founded | 1977 |
---|---|
Country | Fiji |
Confederation | OFC (Oceania) |
Level on pyramid | 1 |
Relegation to | Fiji Senior League |
International cup(s) | OFC Champions League |
Current champions | Suva (2020) |
Most championships | Ba FC (21) |
Current: 2020 Fiji Premier League |
The Fiji Premier League or the FPL, also called Digicel Premier League for sponsorship reasons,[1] is the top division men's professional football league in Fiji. Contested by eight teams, it shares a promotion and relegation system with the Fiji Senior League (FSL). The League is controlled by the Fiji Football Association.
The league was founded as the Fiji National League in 1977 by the Fiji Football Association which was won by Ba. The club that has the most championships is also Ba with 21 titles.
History[]
Foundation (1977)[]
In 1977, the Fiji National League (FNL) was founded. The first ever season was won by Ba.
Sponsorship deals[]
Since 2016, the league has been called the Vodafone Premier League after a sponsorship deal with Vodafone Fiji.[2] On March 3, 2021, Digicel Fiji signed a 3 year deal to sponsor the league, effectively renaming the competition to the Digicel Premier League.[1]
Competition format[]
Competition[]
There are 8 clubs in the Fiji Premier League. During the course of a season, each club plays the others twice (a double round-robin system), once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponent's home. Teams receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points, then goal difference, and then goals scored. If still equal, teams are deemed to occupy the same position. If there is a tie for the championship, for relegation, or for qualification to other competitions, a play-off match at a neutral venue decides rank.
Promotion and relegation[]
A system of promotion and relegation exists between the Fiji Premier League and the Senior League. The last placed team in the Fiji Premier League are relegated to the Senior League, and the first placed team from the North and South zones of Senior League are promoted to the Fiji Premier League.
Clubs[]
8 clubs have played in the Fiji Premier League from its inception in 1977, up to and including the 2020 season.
Champions[]
Club | Wins | Winning years |
---|---|---|
Ba | 21 | 1977, 1979, 1986, 1987, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2019 |
Nadi | 9 | 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1998, 2000, 2015 |
Lautoka | 5 | 1984, 1988, 2009, 2017, 2018 |
Suva | 4 | 1996, 1997, 2014, 2020 |
Nadroga | 3 | 1989, 1990, 1993 |
Labasa | 2 | 1991, 2007 |
Previous winners[]
National Club Championship[]
- 1986: (Nadi)
- 1987–88: Not known
- 1989: (Suva) 1–0 (Labasa)
- 1990: Not known
- 1991:
- 1992: 1–0
- 1993:
- 1994–95: Not known
- 1996: Lautoka General Strikers
- 1997:
- 1998: (Rewa) 1–1 ( on pens)
- 1999: (Labasa) 2–0
- 2000: (Lautoka) 1–0
- 2001–03: Not held
- 2003–04: Not known
- 2005: (Lautoka) 1–0 (Nadi)
- 2006: (Lautoka) 1–1 United (Rewa) (aet, 4–1 pen)
- 2007–08: (Nadi) 2–1 United (Rewa)
Club Franchise League[]
- 2005: (Ba)
- 2006: Nokia Eagles (Nadi)
Topscorers[]
Year | Best scorers | Team | Goals |
2001 | Ba FC | 57 | |
2003 | Keni Doidoi | Ba FC | 38 |
2006 | Ba FC | 43 | |
2007 | Maciu Dunadamu | Labasa FC | 17 |
2008 | Roy Krishna | Labasa FC | 31 |
2009 | Keni Doidoi | Lautoka FC | 12 |
2017 | Labasa FC | 10 | |
2018 | Rusiate Matarerega | Nadi FC | 8 |
2019 | Samuela Drudru | Lautoka FC | 12 |
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/sports/football/fiji-football-embarks-on-a-new-journey-with-digicel/
- ^ "Vodafone Fiji backs soccer league". Newswire. 13 February 2016. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 8 October 2017.
External links[]
- Fiji – List of Champions, RSSSF.com
- Vodafone Premier League - Fiji Sun
- Fiji Premier League
- Football leagues in Fiji
- Top level football leagues in Oceania