2012 Japan Football League

Clubs

The league intended to run the season in the usual 18-team format, but after the withdrawal of Arte Takasaki in January no replacement team was invited so in 2012 JFL features only 17 teams.

Subsequently, only one club will be directly relegated and one take part in pro/rele playoffs to bring the number of JFL clubs back to 18.

During the season, on 23 July, Nagano Parceiro were approved as J. League associate members, though they are not eligible for promotion until the completion of the renovation of their home stadium which is expected in 2016.

On 28 September 2012, J. League Organization made an announcement for club licenses for 2013, and only Nagasaki was granted conditional J2 license.

On 16 October 2012, it was reported that Sagawa Shiga F.C. had notified JFL organization about their intention of withdrawal from JFL as of the end of this season. On 17 October 2012, JFL Committee has approved the request from Sagawa Shiga F.C. for its withdrawal from JFL as of the end of the season.

Change in rules

Promotions to J. League Division 2

Main article: 2012 J. League Division 2#Relegations to JFL

Relegation to regional leagues

Because of withdrawals by Arte Takasaki and Sagawa Shiga, no clubs will be relegated automatically as of the end of the season. The bottom finished (17th placed) club will play a play-off against the 3rd placed club of the 2012 Regional League promotion series.

Table

Results

Top scorers

Updated to games played on 18 November 2012

Source: Japan Football League

Attendance

Promotions and relegations after the regular season

V-Varen Nagasaki were automatically promoted to J2 while Machida Zelvia became the first ever team to be relegated from J. League, returning to the JFL after only one season.

SC Sagamihara and Fukushima United were promoted to JFL as the winner and runner-up of the Regional League promotion series, respectively. Third-placed Norbritz Hokkaido faced Tochigi Uva in a playoff series. Both games were played in Tochigi to prevent snow in Hokkaido from potentially postponing an away game. After two games, the series were tied 2–2, but Tochigi Uva won the penalty shootout 4–1, retaining their spot in JFL for the 2013 season.

Playoffs with Regional Promotion Series

(Japanese)

(Japanese) Okada Takeuchi Amma Ji Jun-Gi Kuraya

Tochigi Uva won the series 4–1 on penalty kicks and remained in JFL.

References

References

1. "News on the 14th JFL season opener". [[Japan Football League]].
2. link. [[Japan Football League]]. (13 January 2012)
3. link. J. League. (23 July 2012)
4. (2012-10-16). "佐川滋賀 JFLへ退会申し出". NHK.
5. (22 October 2012). "SAGAWA SHIGA FC、JFLからの大会について". Japan Football League.
6. link. (2012-10-22). Japan Football League
7. (2012-06-24). "第92回天皇杯ＪＦＬシードはＶ･ファーレン長崎に決定！". [[Japan Football League]].
8. (2012-10-22). "SAGAWA SHIGA FC 活動停止に関するお知らせ". Sagawa Express Co..
9. link. Japan Football League. (6 May 2012)
10. Japan Football League. (4 October 2012). "第14回JFL第27節「FC琉球vsカマタマーレ讃岐」代替日決定のお知らせ".
11. (2012-12-03). "２０１２年度ＪＦＬ入替戦について". Japan Football League.