Teams
Club Africain
CS Sfaxien
Esperance de Tunis
Etoile Sportive Sahel
ES Metlaoui
Bizertin
US Ben Guerdane
Stade Tunisien
US Monastir
JS Kairouanaise
Tataouine
CS Hammam Lif
Stade Gabesien
ES Zarzis
Olympique de Beja
AS Soliman
Avenir de La Marsa
AS Gabes
EGS Gafsa
EO Sidi Bouzid
AS Rejiche
CS Chebba
ES Hammam Sousse
AS Djerba
AS Kasserine
Club Olympique Medenine
Grombalia Sport
Tozeur
JS Omrane
Stade Sportif Sfaxien
Wikipedia - Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1
The Tunisian Professional League 1 (French: Championnat de la Ligue Professionnelle 1; Arabic: الرابطة المحترفة الأولى لكرة القدم), previously called the Tunisian National Championship between 1956 and 1994, is the top division football tournament in Tunisia under the organization of the Tunisian Football Federation. The first edition was held during the French protectorate of Tunisia, the 1907 season, under the auspices of the Federation of Union des Sociétés Françaises de Sports Athlétiques, and it was played in a knockout system, and the first official match was played on 9 June 1907.
At that time, Tunisian teams with a French character and management participated in it, including Racing Club de Tunis, Sporting Club de Tunis, Club Italia de Tunis, Savoy La Goulette, Union sportive tunisienne, Stade gaulois and many other teams. In 1921, the Tunisian Football Association League was established, which is the Tunisian branch of the French Football Federation, which was relied upon until the declaration of independence in 1956.
On 29 March 1957, the Tunisian Football Federation, the official federation organizing football tournaments in Tunisia, was established. The Tunisian championship has been professional since 1994 after the founding of the Ligue Nationale de Football Professionnel. Espérance de Tunis is the most crowned Tunisian club with 33 titles, the last of which was the 2023–24 season.
The first and second places in the standings automatically qualify for the CAF Champions League, and the third place automatically qualifies for the CAF Confederation Cup, along with the Tunisian Cup winner, while the Tunisian Football Federation chooses those who qualifies for the Arab Club Champions Cup. The Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 occupies the first place in the Arab and African countries and 15th in the world, according to the ranking of the International Federation of Football History & Statistics for the year 2019.
Faouzi Benzarti has won the tournament on a record ten occasions with Espérance de Tunis (5), Étoile du Sahel (4) and Club Africain (1).
History
Union des Sociétés Françaises de Sports Athlétiques
Football was born in Tunisia in 1904 with the unofficial creation of the Racing Club de Tunis, formalized in 1905 but which had to wait for the creation of other clubs in Tunis and Bizerte to participate in an official competition. Then the government is obliged to take an active interest in it. It distributed a few grants, though very small. A committee of the Union des Sociétés Françaises de Sports Athlétiques, responsible for the management of all sports in Tunisia, was then created.
In 1910, a first series championship was organized with the participation of the Racing Club, Sporting Club de Tunis, Lycée Carnot de Tunis, the Colonial School of Agriculture, the Football Club of Tunis and the Red Star Club de l'Ariana, and a second series made up of the second teams of Racing Club de Tunis, Sporting and Gallia Club. The national title is awarded after a final between Racing and Stade maritime de Bizerte (champion of the Mediterranean squadrons) with a score of 2–0.
There are then very few Tunisian player. But, surprisingly, La Dépêche tunisienne published on 12 June 1910 the list of players of the Khereddine Club team, called to play against the Ariana Club and who are all Tunisians. It is the first fully Tunisian team but which we have not heard from later and which precedes the Comète Club team, created in 1914 but which did not survive the First World War. The Racing Club won the championship in 1910, 1911 and 1914, then in 1920 and 1921, while Sporting de Ferryville was crowned in 1912 and 1913.
Ligue de Tunisie de Football Association
The championship became official with the creation of the Tunisian Football Association League in 1921 was established, which is the Tunisian branch of the French Football Federation. Until 1939, the title of champion was awarded following play-offs between regional champions. From 1946 to 1947, a championship of "excellence" (national division) is created and is contested at the national level. In 1944–1945, 1945–1946 and 1952–1953, the championship was not contested and replaced by a criterium (a sort of group tournament where participation was not compulsory). These years saw the creation of the Stade Tunisien (1948).
The tournament follows a round-robin format, where each team plays against every other team twice, once at home and once away. The matches are held in state-of-the-art stadiums, providing a vibrant atmosphere for both players and spectators. The tournament spans several months, with matches taking place on weekends, allowing fans to immerse themselves in the excitement and drama of the competition.
Tunisia League 1 attracts a wide range of talented players, including both local stars and international imports. The teams are known for their tactical prowess, technical abilities, and fierce determination to secure victory. The tournament serves as a platform for players to showcase their skills and potentially catch the attention of scouts from international clubs.
The competition is known for its intense rivalries, with matches between traditional powerhouses often drawing large crowds and generating a palpable sense of excitement. The tournament also provides an opportunity for smaller clubs to make a name for themselves and challenge the established order.
Tunisia League 1 has a rich history, with several teams having a strong legacy and passionate fan bases. The tournament has produced many memorable moments, including stunning goals, nail-biting finishes, and unexpected upsets. It has become an integral part of Tunisian sports culture, with fans eagerly following their favorite teams and players throughout the season.
Overall, Tunisia League 1 is a thrilling and highly competitive soccer tournament that showcases the best of Tunisian football. It brings together talented players, passionate fans, and a vibrant atmosphere, making it a must-watch event for soccer enthusiasts in Tunisia and beyond.