River Plate in relegation battle

[StPaulSpur]

So River Plate, a team that has never been relegated, is now in a two match playoff to stay up in the Argentine top flight. But when I looked at the table, I didn't understand how that was possible since they're in 9th place in the table right now. Then I found this goal.com story (I know, I know) that showed the bottom relegation candidates, but I don't understand how they arrived at the figures they did. There's some kind of averaging system they seem to use that determines relegation, but I can't figure it out. Anyone here who follows South American football care to give me a hand?

[Heroes]

Cut ans paste explanation:

Here’s how it works: you add up the number of points each club has earned over the last three seasons, then divide that by the number of matches played. At the end of each season, the two teams at the bottom are relegated, and the two teams at the top of the second division are promoted. Then, the 17th and 18th place teams have to play a two match playoff against the 3rd and 4th place teams from the second division. This playoff is called La Promoción (from here on, Promo for short).


(I still don't get it )

River Plate on the Brink: Relegation Madness*|*Unprofessional Foul

[StPaulSpur]

Wow. Bizarre. I mean, I guess that could be good for insuring that a team doesn't survive relegation by a single point every year (coughwigancough), but still... that's just bizarre. Would be interested to see who got relegated this year with that system.

UPDATE: Here it is. I selected a handful of clubs that have generally been lower half of the table:

Stoke: 46
Blackburn: 44.67
Birmingham: 44.5
Sunderland: 42.3
Wigan: 41
West Ham: 39.67
Blackpool: 39
Wolves: 39

[AmericanHotspur]

F*cking River Plate? I assume Boca Juniors is getting relegated alongside them right?

That's just mind-blowing.

[Rev John Ripsher]

Oh how the mighty have fallen .

[gazza]

they did not fall yet

[Rivron]

River Plate fans run on to the pitch to tell their players to pull their fingers out. Should prove interesting this evening if the club goes down.

[Rivron]

1-1 at the moment. Dreadful advertisement for football, if you're looking for skill.

EDIT: Still 1-1, but River Plate have just missed a penalty. It's all going tits up - for the moment at least.

[Rivron]

Oh dear, River Plate relegated. Let the fun and games begin.

[Heroes]

Riot commenced:

World Football - Fans riot as Argentine giants River Plate relegated - Yahoo! Eurosport

Any River Plate players who are worth signing?

[Rivron]

Still going on - the battles with police I mean.

TN EN VIVO | TN.com.ar | Todo Noticias

[Javi]

River Plate fans riot after 33-time Argentine champions suffer relegation - Goal.com

Absolutely disgusting that they would do such a thing, I know were all passionate about football but this is the kind of thing that just takes it to far.

[gazza]

no they were becoming my favourite team oh well i will support their return to glory, so sad to see the fighting but it is sad also to see the capitulating team

[Jammy_Jae]

what kind of f*cking dumb relegation system is that??

this is almost diabolical if you ask me!

when it comes to argentine teams River Plate have always been my favourite Argentine side.

it's a real shame but they'll bounce back instantly, i know it...

the most IRONIC thing about this whole situation with River is that this unusual relegation system is in place is to favour the BIG clubs like themselves, the Bocas & Independientes of the Argentinian Primera!

it's almost like they're a victim of something they actually (most likely) helped to create...

it is MADNESS though!

[Rev John Ripsher]

They will come back stronger and more humble .