Qatar Stars League

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Serie A title contender ready to lure James Rodríguez back to Europe

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The Colombian ace is desperate to return to Europe after a one-year spell with Al Rayyan, a team from the Qatar Stars League

Qatar’s top football league, known as Qatar Stars League or as QNB Stars League for sponsorship reasons, is the top-tier football category in Qatar. The league was founded in 1963, but the first season was played in 1972.

The league has experienced several changes throughout its history, starting with the number of clubs playing this competition. The first editions of the league were played by nine teams before the league was expanded to twelve teams ahead of the 2009-10 campaign. There are plans for the competition to undergo further expansion in the near future.

Typically, the tournament commences from late-August or early-September to May of the next year. It operates under the relegation-promotion system, with a round-robin format also in place. Wins are rewarded with three points while a draw attracts a point. No point is given for a defeat.

At the end of the season, the team that earns the most points wins the championship. Added to that, the champions clinch a spot in the AFC Champions League, joined by the league’s runners-up. There are two more AFCCL spots available, but the third and fourth-placed teams in this league will enter the preliminary stages of the tournament.

As for relegation proceedings, the team with the lowest number of points will be relegated to the Qatargas League, while the next-to-last club will have to fight for his place in the league via a promotion game.