Fresh changes for Polish league

The Polish first division is to be overhauled again after next season, with the number of teams reduced from 16 to 12.

More competitive league
Vice-chairman of the Polish Football Federation (PZPN) Zbigniew Boniek confirmed the news, saying that the revamped format, which will see the top six teams play-off for the championship in the spring, will make for a more competitive league. It is the third change in five seasons, - the current two-group system was only introduced for 2001/02, and the first division was reduced from 18 to 16 teams in 1998.

'Stadium investments'
Former Juventus FC player Boniek, who took charge of the changes, said: "Time will show if this is right way, but we think it is. Everybody wants good football in our country. Our main task is to change our league into a modern European league. There is no place for 'meaningless matches' and weak, poor clubs will be eliminated by the system. We also plan to begin stadium investments, because this is also needed in Poland. We've started very serious and deep changes."

Five teams relegated
For 2002/03, all 16 top-flight teams will play each other twice to decide the championship, with the bottom five clubs relegated, to be replaced by the second division champions. The tenth and eleventh-placed sides will then play-off with the teams finishing second and third in the lower division for the remaining two berths in the new 12-club format.

'The best choice'
The following season, along with the top-six play-off for the championship, the remaining teams will also compete in spring to avoid relegation to a second division that will eventually expand to 18 clubs. PZPN president Michal Listkiewicz admitted: "We know that creating a smaller league will be an unpopular idea in many places in Poland. But in our opinion, it's the best choice for Polish football."