Switzerland prepares for change
Friday, March 22, 2002
Article summary
The presidents of 24 clubs in Switzerland on Friday adopted a change to the competition system.
Article body
The presidents of 24 clubs in Switzerland on Friday adopted a change to the competition system season so that the Swiss first division will be reduced to ten clubs and the second division will be extended to 16 clubs.
New format
After six years of discussions and preparations, Switzerland's top clubs will play four rounds of nine matches (36 matches) and play-off and relegation will be dropped. The second division will play 30 matches in a season.
New system
The new system will be adopted from the start of the 2003/04 season and next season will be an intermediate phase in which the top eight clubs will play for the title and the last four will play to avoid being relegated with the first four teams from the second division. One club from the top flight will be relegated, one from the second division will be promoted.
