The Zimbabwe Football Association has rejected a Premier Soccer League proposal to suspend relegation for the 2025 season and temporarily expand the league to 22 teams, insisting that normal promotion and relegation procedures must continue.
- Four teams will be relegated at the end of the 2025 Castle Premier Soccer League season.
- Promotion and relegation “cannot be suspended” as they are essential to maintaining fairness and integrity.
- Any changes to league size must be formally submitted to ZIFA and decided at the next ZIFA Congress.
- ZIFA says it has only “noted” — not approved — the PSL’s expansion plan.
ZIFA reinforced its position in a strongly worded statement:
“The Association wishes to make it unequivocally clear that this proposal cannot be implemented. Promotion and relegation are fundamental components of football competition and are essential to maintaining the integrity, fairness and sporting merit of the league system.”
The governing body added:
“ZIFA therefore confirms that four clubs will be relegated at the conclusion of the 2025 Castle Premier Soccer League season.”
Earlier, on 18 November, the Premier Soccer League had announced that its clubs had agreed in principle to expand the top flight from 18 to 20 teams starting in the 2026 season.
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The PSL’s key proposals included:
- Suspending relegation in 2025 to allow promoted teams to join without any clubs dropping out.
- Running a 22-team league in 2026 as a transitional step.
- Returning to a 20-team league in 2027.
- Introducing a phased rollout of a new National First Division League over three years.
According to the PSL,
“The League will accommodate the newly promoted teams, resulting in an expanded league of twenty-two teams for a transitional period during the 2026 season.”
However, ZIFA’s stance means the PSL’s transition plan cannot go ahead without formal approval. The association has directed that any future proposals — including expansion or league restructuring — must follow proper procedure and be presented at the next ZIFA Congress.
For now, the 2025 season will conclude under standard relegation rules, preserving the traditional competitive structure.
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