1956–57 Liga Alef

The 1956–57 Liga Alef season saw Hapoel Kfar Saba win the title. originally, the top two clubs were due to gain promotion to Liga Leumit. However, due to irregularities during the season, an IFA committee decided to hold a promotion play-off between the top five clubs at the end of the season.[1]

Final table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Hapoel Kfar Saba 22 16 0 6 62 26 2.385 32 Promotion play-offs
2 Maccabi Rehovot 22 13 4 5 56 19 2.947 30
3 Hapoel Jerusalem 22 12 6 4 47 26 1.808 30
4 Hapoel Hadera 22 11 7 4 42 23 1.826 29
5 Hakoah Tel Aviv 22 8 7 7 41 39 1.051 23
6 Beitar Jerusalem 22 9 4 9 46 36 1.278 22
7 Hapoel Mahane Yehuda 22 8 6 8 35 30 1.167 22
8 Hapoel Kiryat Haim 22 8 4 10 27 40 0.675 20
9 Hapoel Rehovot 22 7 5 10 29 39 0.744 19
10 Maccabi Sha'arayim 22 7 4 11 24 54 0.444 18
11 Hapoel Nahariya 22 5 1 16 30 71 0.423 11 Relegated to Liga Bet
12 Maccabi Ramat Gan 22 2 4 16 18 54 0.333 8
Updated to match(es) played on 18 May 1957. Source: HadShot HaSport, 22 May 1957

Promotion play-offs

Each team played the other four once at a neutral venue. The top two clubs were to be promoted and the third would play a promotion/relegation play-off against the bottom club at Liga Leumit, which was Maccabi Jaffa.

Matches were played initially during September, but Maccabi Rehovot, who had finished the season in the second place and had expected to be promoted, declined to participate and appealed the committee's decision. The results of Rehovot's matches were initially recorded as 0-3 technical losses. However, after their appeal was rejected, the club were allowed to replay their matches.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts Promotion or qualification
1 Hapoel Kfar Saba 4 3 1 0 10 3 3.333 7 Promoted to Liga Leumit
2 Hapoel Jerusalem 4 1 2 1 4 3 1.333 4
3 Hapoel Hadera 4 1 2 1 4 4 1.000 4 Deciding Match
4 Hakoah Tel Aviv 4 1 2 1 4 4 1.000 4
5 Maccabi Rehovot 4 0 1 3 0 8 0.000 1 Remained in Liga Alef
Source:

Hapoel Kfar Saba and Hapoel Jerusalem were promoted to Liga Leumit. Hapoel Hadera and Hakoah Tel Aviv were due to play a deciding match to set who will play against Maccabi Jaffa, but Hapoel Hadera declined to participate in protest at the IFA's decision to allow Maccabi Rehovot to replay their games.

Promotion and relegation play-offs
Hakoah Tel Aviv0–2Maccabi Jaffa
Arroyo  6'
Ghouhasian  64'
Hapoel Petah Tikva
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: Moshe Cohen
Maccabi Jaffa5–0Hakoah Tel Aviv
Arroyo  29'
Arye  49'
Ghouhasian 64', 73', 89'
Maccabi Jaffa
Attendance: 4,000

References
  1. The Ball Had Been Returned to the Footballers Uri Dan, Ma'ariv, 9 July 1957, Historical Jewish Press (in Hebrew)
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