Coca-Cola becomes new sponsor of Colombian top flight

November 3, 4:46 PMMiami Soccer ExaminerJuan Arango

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Coca-Cola becomes new sponsor of the Colombian first division tournament
Courtesy of Golgolgol.net

The writing was on the wall and it was a matter of time until the Colombian DiMayor had to find a replacement for Mustang.   Coca-Cola will  be replacing the Colombian cigarette brand after the latter decided to step down due to laws that now prohibit tobacco companies from sponsoring cultural and social events.

The deal was announced today on the Dimayor's website but the official presentation will be made on November 5th and the Liga Coca-Cola will begin in January of next year.

Along with a new sponsor comes a different format for the Colombian top flight.  There will be a pseudo two-tournament format in place, but there will have to be changes done because all domestic tournaments will have to be completed by May in time for the World Cup. 

The first change will be that there were be only one champion at the end of the calendar year.  The team that ends up in the top spot of the tournament will be awarded automatic entry into the Copa Sudamericana.  After the World Cup recess, the second tournament will be played until November 14th and the top team of that leg will earn the second Sudamericana spot.  

The top eight teams in the overall standings will enter a playoff that will be divided into two groups based on a draw.  The top two teams will head into the semifinals and cross over to play against the two from the other.  The two teams that emerge from these matchups will automatically earn a direct berth into the Copa LIbertadores.   The third Libertadores spot will be given to the best team in the overall table that has not qualified for the tournament.  This final spot will see a team have to start their international campaign in the first round playoff.

This will in no way interfere with the Copa Postobon (Colombia Cup) in any way.