Championnat de France Amateur (1935–1971)

For the current fourth tier in the French football pyramid formerly known as the Championnat de France Amateur, see Championnat National 2.

The Championnat de France Amateur (CFA), also known as the Challenge Jules‒Rimet, was the highest tier of amateur football in France from 1935 to 1971. It was organized by the French Football Federation.

Championnat de France Amateur

The trophy of the competition
Organising body	French Football Federation
Founded	1935
Folded	1971
Replaced by	Division 3
Country	France
Other club(s) from	Monaco
Level on pyramid	1 (of amateur football)
Relegation to	Regional leagues (1948–1971)
Most championships	Quevilly Gazélec Ajaccio (4 titles each)

History

The competition was created in 1932, three years after the formation of the professional national championship now known as the Ligue 1.^[1] The aim of the tournament was to crown the best amateur football team in France. The champion received a cup from the president of the French Football Federation, Jules Rimet, where the nickname of the competition Challenge Jules‒Rimet came from.^[2]

The competition was folded in 1971 in the midst of reform to the football league system in France.^[3] The new system after 1971 would bring together professional and amateur leagues in one pyramid. The Division 3 was the successor of the Championnat de France Amateur.^{[citation needed]}

Format

The competition saw several changes in its format in the course of its history. From 1935 to 1948, the Championnat de France Amateur was played at the end of the season between the winners of each regional league. Starting in 1948, an annual league was created, called the Division Nationale, played in the format of four to six geographically-determined groups.^[2] The winners of each group at the end of the season would play against each other at the end of the season to determine a winner. The Division Nationale was therefore the highest tier of French amateur football.^{[citation needed]}

Although the professional football pyramid contained two levels, the first and second tiers, the Championnat de France Amateur did note make up the third tier, and there was no system of promotion and relegation between professional and amateur clubs.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. Football. Le Conseil National de la 3 F.A. 1932. p. 10.
2. Duquesne, Maurice (1957). Vingt et un ans de compétition nationale : 1935-1956 Championnat de France amateurs (Challenge Jules-Rimet). French Football Federation. pp. 13–42.
3. Les mesures décisives pour la vie de notre football d'élite. France Football. 1970. p. 1.