The 1940–41 1. Liga season was the 9th 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 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 was reduced from three to one per team.
Format There were 24 clubs competing in the 1. Liga this season. They were divided into three regional groups, each with eight 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. Last season had seen no promotions to the top tier, due to World War II. This season, however, two promotions were planned. The three group winners contested a play-off round to decide the 1. Liga championship and the two promotion slots to the Nationalliga. However, this season would see no relegations because the Nationalliga was to be expanded from 12 to 14 clubs next season. There was to be three promotions from the 2. Liga (third tier) this season, therefore there would be one more club in this division in the next season.
Group West Teams, locations ClubBased inCantonStadiumCapacity FC Cantonal Neuchâtel Neuchâtel Stade de la Maladière Dopolavoro Genève Genève FC Étoile-Sporting La Chaux-de-Fonds Les Foulets / Terrain des Eplatures / FC Montreux-Sports Montreux Stade de Chailly FC Forward Morges Morges Parc des Sports FC Monthey Monthey Stade Philippe Pottier Urania Genève Sport Genève Stade de Frontenex Vevey Sports Vevey Stade de Copet
Final league table </onlyinclude>
Group Central Teams, locations ClubBased inCantonStadiumCapacity FC Aarau Aarau Stadion Brügglifeld FC Basel Basel Landhof FC Bern Bern Stadion Neufeld US Bienne-Boujean Biel/Bienne FC Birsfelden Birsfelden Sternenfeld FC Concordia Basel Basel Stadion Rankhof FC Fribourg Fribourg Stade Universitaire FC Solothurn Solothurn Stadion FC Solothurn
Final league table <onlyinclude>
Group East Teams, locations ClubBased inCantonStadiumCapacity AC Bellinzona Bellinzona Stadio Comunale Bellinzona FC Blue Stars Zürich Zürich Hardhof SC Brühl St. Gallen Paul-Grüninger-Stadion FC Chiasso Chiasso Stadio Comunale Riva IV SC Juventus Zürich Zürich Utogrund FC Locarno Locarno Stadio comunale Lido SC Zug Zug Herti Allmend Stadion FC Zürich Zürich Letzigrund
Final league table
Promotion The three group winners played a single round-robin for the title of 1. Liga champions and for the two promotion slots to the 1941–42 Nationalliga. The games were played on 25 May, 8 and 15 June 1941 Promotion play-off
Zürich won the 1. Liga championship title and together with runners-up Cantonal Neuchâtel were promoted to the top-tier. Basel remained in the division for the next season.
Further in Swiss football 1941–42 Nationalliga 1941–42 Swiss Cup 1940–41 FC Basel season
References
Sources Switzerland 1940–41 at RSSSF