Mr. Ahmed Khellil Abbassi, Executive Director of Competition and Football Development (Acting) at the Qatar Stars League (QSL), reflects on the season that went by and the 2019-20 season.

“The QSL is taking great efforts in co-ordination with partners as well as stakeholders and in co-operation with clubs to continue the development of QNB Stars League. It’s in the interest of national teams and Qatar football,” he said.

Commenting on the 2018-19 QNB Stars League, which ended last Saturday with Week 22 action, Mr. Abbassi said, “We congratulate everyone on this successful season, during which our national team won the 2019 Asian Cup as a result of solidarity and hard work. I would like to point out that the league championship this season saw the application of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology and Live Match Analysis system, the pioneering technology and innovation which was used for the first time in Asia, confirming the QSL’s keenness on everything that serves and develops the level of competition on all fronts.”

On the co-ordination meeting held with QNB Stars League coaches on Sunday, 14th April, 2019, the QSL official explained that it was a continuation of the ongoing communication process between the QSL and clubs’ representatives. It was aimed at improving the mechanism of work by taking into account their experiences as well as observations, and discussed the next season in general.

“As part of the ongoing communication process, we visited clubs during the second leg to listen to their comments with a view to support them in a better way. Those suggestions and observations have been taken into consideration.

“There’s no change in the league format next season as the championship will continue as it was this time, with 12 clubs and two legs. Al Wakrah will return to the QNB Stars League and we’re waiting for the second team, which will be determined through the Play-Off between 11th-placed team in the league this season (Qatar SC) and Second Division runners-up (Muaither),” Mr. Abbassi concluded.