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Boniek: 'Ekstraklasa reform set for next season'

PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge 15.05.2013 12:08
Chairman of the Polish Football Association (PZPN) Zbigniew Boniek has confirmed that radical reforms to the top-level Ekstraklasa league are set to be introduced.

Miroslav
Miroslav Radovic (L), of current league leaders Legia Warszawa, gives chase to Filip Modelski (R) of Jagiellonia Bialystok on Saturday: photo - PAP/Artur Reszko

“I see no reason why the reforms cannot come into force for the next season,” he told the Przeglad Sportowy daily.

“Of course we will wait for the 22 May decision of the PZPN board, as the board has to approve the changes.”

The reforms will see the league teams split into two groups following the traditional 30 games that each side plays each season. After that, each side will play a further seven games.

The top eight will do so in a 'Championship league', allowing for a shot at the Ekstraklasa title and the European title. The bottom eight will have to fight it out to see who stays in Ekstraklasa.

Boniek has insisted that a reform of the points system must also be introduced, according to initial proposals.

Following the late season split, each club will have its points total halved and rounded up.

“Reform without the halving of points would be pointless. That's why I made it clear: let's do the reform in the original version, or not bother with it at all,” Boniek said.

Supporters of the reform say that it will make the final phase a much more gripping prospect, and Boniek argues that the extra games will also help Polish sides catch up with European standards.

After 26 matches, the current 2012/2013 season is being led by Legia Warszawa, with 59 points, followed by Lech Poznan (57) and Piast Gliwice (41). (nh)

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