Portuguese Liga set for expansion to 18 teams

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Portuguese Liga set for expansion to 18 teams

The Iberian nation are on the verge of adding a further two sides to their top flight in a bid to bring in extra revenue and to capitalise on the league's full potential

May 4, 2012 12:20:00 AM

By Luke Matthews

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Portugal's 32 professional sides have approved the expansion of Primeira Liga to 18 sides, although ratification from the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) is still required, according to Expresso.

There were 35 votes for increasing the size of the domestic league, 11 votes against and one abstention on Thursday.

If the decision to extend the division is accepted by FPF, which is expected, then the extra two teams playing in Portugal's top flight will be decided by a play-off system.

The two sides currently occupying 15th and 16th spots in Primeira Liga would face the fourth and third-placed sides from Liga de Honra respectively.

If the decision is ratified in time for the beginning of the 2012-13 campaign, at current, Academica would face Navo while Uniao de Leiria would come up against Desportivo Aves in the other play-off fixture.

FPF have rejected a similar proposal in the past because the previous plan stated no side would be relegated and did not include the play-off option.