International Federation of Football History & Statistics

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The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) is an organization that chronicles the history of football. It was founded in 1984 and is based in Bonn, Germany.

1 Ranking
2 External links

[edit] Ranking

Since 1991, the entity has produced a monthly club world ranking.

The ranking takes into consideration the results of twelve months of continental and intercontinental competitions, national league matches (including play-offs) and the most important national cup (excluding points won before the round of 16).

All countries are rated at four levels based upon the national league performance -- clubs in the highest level leagues receive 4 points for each match won, 2 for a draw and 0 for a defeat. Level 2 is assigned 3 pts. (win), 1.5 (draw) and 0 (lost), and so on with the next lower levels.

In continental competitions, all clubs receive the same number of points at all stages regardless of the performance level of their leagues. However, European competitions yield more points to their participants than South American competitions. The point assignment system is still lower for African, Asian, CONCACAF and Oceanian continental tournaments. Competitions between two continents are evaluated depending upon their importance. Competitions not organised by a continental confederation, or any intercontinental events not recognized by FIFA, are not taken into consideration.

[edit] Current standings

As of October 2006

1. (2.) Chelsea FC England/4 350,0
2. (1.) FC Barcelona España/4 281,0
3. (5.) AC Milan Italia/4 271,0
4. (7.) Liverpool FC England/4 269,0
5. (8.) Arsenal FC England/4 262,0
-. (6.) Olympique de Marseille France/4 262,0
7. (12.) FC Rapid Bucureşti România/2 250,0
8. (9.) AS Roma Italia/4 245,0
9. (11.) Olympique Lyonnais France/4 244,0
-. (3.) FC Internazionale MilanoItalia/4 244,0

[edit] Year-end leaders

The following table shows the clubs that finished on top of the ranking by the end of each year:

1991 - AS Roma
1992 - Ajax Amsterdam
1993 - Juventus FC
1994 - Paris Saint-Germain
1995 - AC Milan
1996 - Juventus FC
1997 - FC Barcelona
1998 - Internazionale Milano
1999 - Manchester United
2000 - Real Madrid
2001 - Liverpool FC
2002 - Real Madrid
2003 - AC Milan
2004 - Valencia CF
2005 - Chelsea FC

[edit] Criticism

Even though a win in European competitions is worth more than the same result in South American tournaments, some critics still argue that the difference should be greater.