CategorÃa Primera A

A national Colombian soccer championship comes first since 1948 to host. The introduction of the professional league, now called Categoría Primera A, goes on the initiative of the then President of the Colombian Football Federation back Alfonso Senior Quevedo, who was also the first president of CD Los Millonarios. Before there were only regional competitions, one of which still most worthy of the capital of Bogota and Barranquilla attention.

The official name of the aligned by a professional association Asociación de Fútbol Profesional Colombiano del Clubes championship was 1990 to 2010 after appearing as a sponsor tobacco company Copa Mustang. Since the season 2010/2011 season, the name for the new sponsor, a beverage brand was changed to League Postobón.

2.2.1 Copa Libertadores
2.2.2 Copa Sudamericana

History

The first championship began in August 1948 after the professional association founded as División Mayor del Fútbol Colombiano could be set up as aligning organization. First champion Independiente Santa Fe.

The League originally counted 10 clubs, but this figure varied widely used in the early years. In 1959, the number of clubs for four years stabilized at 12 clubs, in 1963 the number was increased to 13 in 1966 and again on 14

The golden age of Colombian football championship, el dorado known as, was 1949-1953, when many top players from abroad, played there. In particular, many Argentine players - Alfredo Di Stéfano and Adolfo Pedernera at Millonarios are here prominent names - were to be found in the league since that time various conflicts in the Argentine Football Professionals prompted many to make their money abroad. The Colombian League was the only one who accepted this player. The Colombian Association at that time was punished with expulsion from FIFA. This era came to an end with the Lima Pact, which provided for the return of blocked foreigners to their original clubs and the resumption of Colombia in the World Association.

Since 1968, the Colombian championship is divided into two half- series championships, as is common in many South American countries these days. The held from February to June first round is called here in the Colombian parlance Apertura. the second round, which will take place from July to December in Colombia called Finalización - in other South American countries, is here rather the term Clausura usual. After half a series Liguilla, a small league of the leading teams was then held to determine the participants for the championship finally decisive and leading into a final play-off games until 2000.

With the beginning of the game 2002 is not done and the Half Series champion will both run as champion.

1991, a second professional league, the Primera B, with more than 18 members was launched. A promotion and relegation between the leagues there since 1993.

Since 2012, the two champions of the year play out a Supercup, the Super Liga de Colombia.

Mode

Championship

Phase 1

In a league consisting of 18 teams all play each other once. The games with Derby character found at the ninth Matchday addition the Clasicos, so instead. These were, for example, in 2014 defined as follows:

Phase 2

In the regular season follows a group stage. In the so-called semi-final Cuadrangulares now play the top eight teams in two groups with home and away matches, the two finalists from.

Qualification for the continental competitions

Copa Libertadores

Each half series champion will automatically qualify for the Copa Libertadores.

A third place is awarded to the club which is highest after the aggregation of all the points and goals of Phases 1 and 2 of the first and the second half of the series championship.

If a club win both halves Series championships, the second user is selected in the Libertadores by the same procedure as the third party.

Copa Sudamericana

Two participants in the Copa Sudamericana be determined according to the same scheme as the third Libertadores participants: the three clubs that are in the overall annual ranking behind this are qualified. A third place in the Copa Sudamericana is determined by the cup competition and in 2014 a fourth by the Super Liga de Colombia.

Participants in the Categoría Primera A 2014

The following teams will take part in the two half- series of the season 2014 Apertura and Finalización.

The Masters

Booth: 2013

Because since 2002 the master for each half series is determined and thus the championships are not entirely comparable, followed by a separate list of titles to 2001 and since 2002.