2003–04 Swiss Challenge League

The 2003–04 Swiss Challenge League was the first season of the Swiss Challenge League, and the 72nd season of the second tier of the Swiss football league pyramid. It began on 18 July 2003 and ended on 22 May 2004. The champions of this season, FC Schaffhausen, earned promotion to the 2004–05 Super League. SR Delémont finished last and were relegated to the Swiss 1. Liga.

League table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	BP	Pts	Promotion or relegation
1	FC Schaffhausen (C, P)	32	17	9	6	52	39	+13	24	84	Promotion to 2004–05 Swiss Super League
2	FC Vaduz	32	16	9	7	56	34	+22	22	79	Qualification for Promotion play-off
3	FC Chiasso	32	16	6	10	49	31	+18	24	78
4	FC Malcantone Agno^[a]	32	16	7	9	48	38	+10	18	73
5	FC Wohlen	32	12	14	6	46	39	+7	22	72
6	FC Sion^[b]	32	13	11	8	47	33	+14	20	70
7	Yverdon-Sport FC	32	12	10	10	50	37	+13	24	70
8	SC Kriens	32	14	7	11	44	40	+4	18	67
9	FC Concordia Basel	32	15	6	11	54	48	+6	14	65
10	FC Lucerne	32	12	10	10	46	43	+3	18	64
11	AC Bellinzona	32	13	3	16	47	58	−11	14	56
12	FC Bulle	32	9	10	13	42	54	−12	12	49
13	FC Meyrin	32	9	10	13	43	53	−10	10	47
14	FC Baden	32	9	4	19	38	57	−19	10	41
15	FC Winterthur	32	8	6	18	38	47	−9	10	40
16	FC La Chaux-de-Fonds	32	7	7	18	25	47	−22	8	36
17	SR Delémont (R)	32	6	7	19	37	64	−27	4	29	Relegated to 2004–05 Swiss 1. Liga

Source: RSSSF
Rules for classification: During the season, the winner of each confrontation return received 2 bonus points. This system will be abolished for the 2004-05 season
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:

^ FC Malcantone Agno merged with AC Lugano, who will replace the club for the 2004-05 season.
^ FC Sion was admitted into the league on 29 October 2003. Because of the late fixtures, the club's season ended later

Promotion/relegation playoff

29 May 2004 First Leg	Neuchatel Xamax	2-0	FC Vaduz	Stade de la Maladière
	Gérald Forschelet 28' Alexandre Rey 50'

31 May 2004 Second Leg	FC Vaduz	2-1	Neuchatel Xamax	Rheinpark Stadion
	Franz Burgmeier 12' Steve Gohouri 35'		Mobulu M'Futi 55'

Neuchâtel Xamax won 3-2 on aggregate, so it maintains its place in the Super League

FC Vaduz remains in the Challenge League

Promoted clubs

To Super League - FC Schaffhausen
FC Wil replaces SR Delémont to increase the league's size to 18 clubs
From 1. Liga - SC YF Juventus and FC Baulmes

Relegated clubs

To 1. Liga - SR Delémont

References

External links

(in German and French) Swiss Challenge League

[table_note_MAL0.27082010697146-1] FC Malcantone Agno merged with AC Lugano, who will replace the club for the 2004-05 season.

[table_note_SIO0.27082010697146-2] FC Sion was admitted into the league on 29 October 2003. Because of the late fixtures, the club's season ended later

[a]

[b]