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ARGENTINA’S LEAGUE SYSTEM IN DISARRAY
November 26, 2025
|The Straits Times
Fans rue inconsistent tournament formats and abrupt rule changes, calling it ‘a mess’
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With eight trophies up for grabs from 2026, a first division counting 30 teams and formats that can change seemingly on a whim, the Argentinian football league is at risk of alienating supporters in the home of the reigning World Cup champions.
Already somewhat of a rarity to outsiders with its two-stage season — each stage lasts six months and they are known as the Torneo Apertura, which means “opening tournament” in Spanish, and Torneo Clausura (closing tournament) — the league has recently become even more singular.
The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) suddenly decided on Nov 20 to create a new title combining the clubs’ results in both championships - although there was no provision for this in the regulations at the start of the season.
As a result, former Real Madrid and Manchester United attacker Angel di Maria and his current club, Rosario Central, were unexpectedly declared the country’s champions just as they were preparing for their last-16 clash in the Clausura playoffs.
The newly crowned champions promptly lost the knockout tie 1-0 at home to Estudiantes de La Plata on Nov 23.
هذه القصة من طبعة November 26, 2025 من The Straits Times.
اشترك في Magzter GOLD للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة، وأكثر من 9000 مجلة وصحيفة.
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