The IZIBET Amateur League 2023/24 will kick-off on Friday September 15 with a matches from Group A between Qrendi and Kalkara United at the Centenary Stadium.
Twenty three teams will be playing in the IZIBET Amateur League – twelve in Group A and eleven in Group B but there will be a number of changes following amendments to the regulations of the Malta FA following the approval by the Executive Board.
Only one non-homegrown players is allowed on the field of play but the match sheet for a particular game could include up to two non-homegrown players.
Thanks to a change in Article 317, the maximum reimbursement allowed in relation to amateur players for expenses incurred has been raised from €250 to €300 per month.
IZIBET Amateur League 2023/24
The National Amateur League shall take the form of two Groups, known as Group A and Group B, each
playing a league on a double round-robin basis.
At the end of the league the following shall apply:
(a) The clubs placed in first position in each Group shall be promoted to the Challenge League.
(b) The Clubs placed in the first position in each Group shall play a deciding match and the winner shall be declared the Champion of the National Amateur League.
(c) The clubs placed in the seventh and eighth position in each Group, at the end of the league, shall play each other in two deciding matches as follows:
i) the club finishing seventh in Group A plays against the club finishing eighth in Group B; and the club finishing eighth in Group A plays against the club finishing seventh in Group B
ii) The winner of each of these deciding matches shall retain its status in the National Amateur League
1 in the following season. The losers of these deciding matches shall be relegated to the newly
formed National Amateur League 2 for Season 2024/25.
(d) The clubs placed in the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth position (as applicable) in the respective Groups shall be relegated to the newly formed National Amateur League 2 for Season 2024/25.
IZIBET Amateur League 2024/25
As from 2024/25, the National Amateur League shall be divided into two hierarchical leagues, National Amateur League 1 and National Amateur League 2, similar to the old Second and Third Division.
The National Amateur League 1 shall be composed of twelve (12) teams and shall be played on a
double round-robin basis.
At the end of the league the following shall apply:
i) The club placed in first position shall be promoted to the Challenge League.
ii) The clubs finishing in the second, third, fourth, and fifth place shall participate in the National Amateur League 1 Play Offs.
(a) The National Amateur League 1 Play-Offs shall be played in the format of two semi-finals played between the club finishing second against the club finishing fifth; and the club finishing third against the club finishing fourth.
(b) The National Amateur League Play-Offs Final shall be played between the winners of the Semi-Finals;
(c) The winner of the National Amateur League 1 Play-Offs Final shall be promoted to the Challenge League.
iii) The club placed in the last position in the official classification table shall be relegated to the National Amateur League 2.
iv) The clubs finishing in the eight, ninth, tenth, and eleventh place shall participate in the National Amateur League 1 Play Outs.
(a) The National Amateur League 1 Play-Outs shall be played between the club finishing eight against the club finishing eleventh; and the club finishing ninth against the club finishing tenth.
(b) The National Amateur League 1 Relegation Play-Out shall be played between the losers of the First Round matches.
(c) The loser of the National Amateur League 1 Relegation Play-Out shall be relegated to the National Amateur League 2.
The National Amateur League 2 shall be composed of thirteen (13) teams or such other number of
teams as established by the Executive Board under these regulations, and shall be played on a
double round-robin basis.
At the end of the league the following shall apply:
i) The club placed in first position in in the official classification table shall be promoted to the
National Amateur League 1.
ii) The clubs finishing in the second, third, fourth, and fifth place shall participate in the National
Amateur League 2 Play Offs.
a) The National Amateur League 2 Play-Offs shall be played in the format of two semifinals played between the club finishing second against the club finishing fifth; and the club finishing third against the club finishing fourth;
b) The National Amateur League Play-Offs Final shall be played between the winners of the Semi-Finals.
c) The winner of the National Amateur League 2 Play-Offs Final shall be promoted to the National Amateur League 1.
iii) The clubs placed in the last two positions in the official classification table shall drop out of the
National League but may apply for re-instatement.