The 1942–43 1. Liga season was the 11th season of the 1. Liga since its creation in 1931. At this time, the 1. Liga was the second-tier of the Swiss football league system.
Overview Preamble In Switzerland during the second world war period, sport became an integral part of the "spiritual national defense". This was a political and cultural movement that had already become increasingly important during the late 1930s. Politicians, intellectuals and media professionals had increasingly called for measures to strengthen Switzerland's basic cultural values. Since the Nationalliga games were also considered to be one of the activities that seemed important for maintaining the morale of the population, the military authorities put considerably fewer obstacles in the way of the top players and leading clubs as they had during the previous World War. However, in 1941, the "Lex Zumbühl", named after the Swiss Football Association (ASF/SFV) president, formally banned professional football players. In addition to this, the number of foreign players allowed to play had been reduced from three to one per team.
Format There were 25 clubs competing in the 1. Liga this season. The teams were divided into two regional groups, the eastern group with 12 teams, the western group with 13 teams. Within each group, the teams would play a double round-robin to decide their league position. Two points were awarded for a win and one point was awarded for a draw. The two group winners then contested a play-off to decide the 1. Liga championship and promotion to the top-tier. The last placed team in each group were directly relegated to the 2. Liga (third tier) and the two second last teams played a play-out against the third and final relegation slot.
Group West Teams, locations ClubBased inCantonStadiumCapacity US Bienne-Boujean Biel/Bienne CA Genève Geneva SC Derendingen Derendingen Heidenegg Dopolavoro Genève Genève FC Étoile-Sporting La Chaux-de-Fonds Les Foulets / Terrain des Eplatures / FC Fribourg Fribourg Stade Universitaire FC La Chaux-de-Fonds La Chaux-de-Fonds Centre Sportif de la Charrière FC Monthey Monthey Stade Philippe Pottier FC Montreux-Sports Montreux Stade de Chailly FC Renens Renens Zone sportive du Censuy FC Solothurn Solothurn Stadion FC Solothurn Urania Genève Sport Genève Stade de Frontenex Vevey Sports Vevey Stade de Copet
Final league table
Group East Teams, locations ClubBased inCantonStadiumCapacity FC Aarau Aarau Stadion Brügglifeld AC Bellinzona Bellinzona Stadio Comunale Bellinzona FC Bern Bern Stadion Neufeld FC Birsfelden Birsfelden Sternenfeld FC Blue Stars Zürich Zürich Hardhof SC Brühl St. Gallen Paul-Grüninger-Stadion FC Chiasso Chiasso Stadio Comunale Riva IV FC Concordia Basel Basel Stadion Rankhof FC Helvetia Bern Bern Spitalacker, Bern FC Locarno Locarno Stadio comunale Lido US Pro Daro Bellinzona Campo Geretta / Stadio Comunale Bellinzona / SC Zug Zug Herti Allmend Stadion
Final league table
Decider for eleventh place The decider was played on 18 July.
Concordia won and continued in the play-outs. Blue Stars were relegated directly to 2. Liga Interregional.
Promotion, relegation The two group winners played a two legged tie for the title of 1. Liga champions and for promotion to the 1943–44 Nationalliga. The games were played on 6 and 20 June 1943. Promotion play-off
La Chaux-de-Fonds won the championship title and were promoted to the top-tier. Bellinzona remained in the division for the next season.
Relegation play-out The two second last placed teams from each group played a two legged tie to decide the third and last relegation slot. The games were played on 25 July and 1 August 1943.
The teams were equal, two draws each and a replay was required. This was played on 8 August at the Stadion Neufeld in Bern.
Concordia won and remained in the division for the next season. Monthey were relegated to 2. Liga.
Further in Swiss football 1942–43 Nationalliga 1942–43 Swiss Cup
References
Sources Switzerland 1942–43 at RSSSF