10 Basic Rules Determining the KA Ratings
What are the KA Ratings? They are not simple comparisons a strength of leagues or clubs. Who can win – this is always what the pitch decides about. But imagine that you are a football player (unless you are) and want to find the proper league or club – as the right place for the development of your career? The KA Ratings give the answer. They show the position of the club or league as a resultant of its reputation, strength and attractiveness of football environment. Simply – it’s about renown.
The ranking is based on three procedures:
1) Continental Performance Factors (CPF) which measures clubs performance in the international club competitions (mostly continental). The CPF Procedure imply many indicators used for both the Leagues Ranking and the Club Ranking.
2) Attraction & Impact Factor (AIF) which measures players performance in the key international national team competitions. This gives us a basic AIF factor – Flow Impact Index (FI2), important for Leagues Ranking. See more in #5. AIF also is applied for Club Ranking and Continent (Federation) Ranking.
3) Country Football Reputability Index (CFRI) [current name: Nations Football Reputability Index] shows the position of the country in the football world, from the perspective of its overall recognition, reputation, prestige and quality of players. CFRI provides itself autonomous coefficient applied to a limited extent to Leagues Ranking, as well as to Continent (Federation) Ranking.
The heart of the KA System is an assessment the impact and attraction of a specific football league in the last FIFA World Cup. This is a key part of the AIF Procedure and this is where we start our calculations. The World Cup is the competition in which representatives of the largest number of football leagues from different continents meet, and it is sole tournament when it is possible making real comparison between leagues from different continents. This is a test, like you play poker and say “I check”.
Continental Performance Factors (CPF) is the second main algorithm, which is calculated on the basis of the results of clubs in the continental competitions recognized by the members-Federations of FIFA. The competitions which are taken into account are: UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, CAF Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup, AFC Champions League, AFC Cup, CONCACAF Champions League, CONCACAF League, Leagues Cup, CONCACAF Caribbean Club Championship, OFC Champions League, Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana. Super Cups and FCWC as well as similar games also get included.
Matrix-structural rankings with averaged historical result (present season and three past) have been used within a scope of continental rankings. Nevertheless, due to the introduction of the third tier of games in Europe, as well as the widespread confusion that is commonly taking place in the competitions around the world due to the COVID pandemic (postponing game schedules and canceled competitions, phases or matches), it is more and more difficult to apply out the matrix-structural rankings. That is why, the ELO method was adopted, which will be evolutionarily introduced into the KA System.
The KA Rating system for leagues and clubs is based on a similar DEKAI scheme. There are 4 (four) Tiers. Each of the Tier is divided into Classes. The highest Tier has two Classes. The others have 3 Classes. Classes, with the exception of the Classes assigned to the lowest Tier, are marked with asterisks, from 6 to 0.5 asterisk (white asterisk). They are called “the Chamber” the basic Range of Ranking. The 9th and the 10th class are also called “the Antechamber” (the 2nd Range).
This means that leagues or clubs listed by name in the Top Main Table of Rating are placed in 10 (ten) classes.
For Leagues, there are: World Tier (Ultimate & Top), Continental Tier (Upper, Prime & Lower), Inter-Zone Tier (Upper, Middle & Lower) and Domestic Tier (Intermediate, Secondary & Elementary).
For clubs there are: High Tier (Supreme & Top), Master Tier (Grand, Principal & Standard), Pro Athletic Tier (Upper, Advanced & Qualified) and Regular Athletic Tier (the Bench, the Scarf & the Pitch).
In the Main Top Table, as part of the lowest Tier – the last Class is a class, which covers all leagues or clubs not included in the upper Classes (this is the last Range called as “the Yard”).
The 11th Elementary Class for leagues (not for clubs) has separate table (Yard Table). It is divided into subclasses (degrees): National, Union, Regional and Local.
The Local degree subclass for leagues, as well as the last 11th Pitch Class for clubs covers all leagues/clubs not classified in larger levels, where they are cumulatively listed in one position.
Based on the points allocated following by the CPF – the KA Continental Leagues Rankings are created for every continent. On the basis of these rankings, comparable points values are determined (Inter-Continental League Points – ICL Points), which summed with the value of Flow Impact Index (FI2) and Country Football Reputability Index (CFRI), they give the final results for the KA Global Football Leagues Rating, set twice for the season (the KA League Points).
Exact formula for calculating the KA League Points is
= (3 x ICL Points + 2 x FI2 + CFRI) / 6
On the other hand, on the basis of the points assigned to football clubs, the KA Continental Club Rankings are created for every continent. The points defined in the continental rankings provide the basis for the calculation of Inter-Continental Club Coefficient (IC3) and corresponding Inter-Continental Club Points (IC2 Points) – both are used to calculate every quarter the KA Global Football Club Rating.
Flow Impact Index (FI2) is a principal part of the AIF and its calculated based on two algorithms. The one main, concerning the number of players representing the country’s league in the recently played FWC (Global FI2). The second one is complementary and concerns the number of players representing the country’s league in the recently played continental championships, namely: UEFA Euro, Coupe d’Afrique des Nations, Asian Cup, CONCAF Gold Cup, OFC Nations Cup and Copa América (Continental FI2).
The index refers not only the number of players, but also to results obtained by the national teams, in which these players are capped as well as to players activity in matches.
#6 the KA Federation Ranking
The KA Federation Ranking, fixed annually for the season, positions continental Federations and Confederations on the basis of the total points earned by the countries belonging to the one Federation, taking into consideration Global FI2 and Continental FI2. Points that are taken into account are the values of FI2 and half of CFRI. A score is further complemented by the value of the FIFA Club World Cup Index, which is calculated on the basis of the place, which taken by the certain club in the tournament, representing the Federation. The necessary coefficients and conversion factors for the KA Ratings are determined in the KA Federation Ranking, and in particular to determine: ICL Points and Continental FI2 (for leagues/countries) as well as: IC3 and IC2 Points (for clubs).
Every league in the the KA Global Football Leagues Rating is assigned a league ratio (the KA League Coefficient), alongside the KA League Points. The Rating is determined twice for the season. While the KA League Points decide on the place held in the rating list, the KA League Coefficient is determined in relation to the place that the league has on the rating list. The KA League Coefficient is extremely important for determining the KA Club Coefficient (weight 33%). The KA League Coefficient is determined based on a special algorithm. Generally, there is a flat formula resulting in principle, in that the difference between the two records, taking into account the KA League Coefficients assigned to them, is less than what results from the difference between the KA League Points. The league which is classified first is given value of the Maximum Coefficient (around 1.5). The league that occupies the last place, among those which obtained at least the Relevant Score (usually approx. 30th place), value of the Minimum Coefficient (around 0.5) is granted. The others which hold places between – receive proportionally coefficient. The remaining leagues are given value of the Minimum Coefficient.
The reference point is the Coefficient of the value of 1,000 (one). The value of 1 (one) is a breakpoint in the league’s rating. Leagues with a coefficient at least 1 (one) should be considered as leagues with established and lasting renown and reputation in the football world.
Every season, the exact values of the Maximum Coefficient, the Minimum Coefficient and the Relevant Score are established (twice). These values are determined mainly on the basis of the average values of all the scores of the KA League Points.
Both the club’s entry to the rating by name and affiliation to a specific Tier is based on a special qualification algorithm. The algorithm has two-forms: National Algorithm and Continental Algorithm.
In the National Algorithm, the League Threshold is taken into account. The League Treshold, based on the KA League Points, is assigned to every league. This Threshold index determines the number of teams from the single league, which qualify for the KA Football Club Global Rating. E.g. if the Threshold is 3 (three) this means that clubs holding from 1 (first) to 3 (third) place qualify for the High, Master or Pro Athletic classes (the Chamber Classes). Clubs in places from 4 (fourth) to 6 (sixth) qualify for the lowest tier: Regular Athletic Tier – the Bench Class (threshold x 2), and clubs in places from 7 (seventh) to 15 (fifteenth) qualify for the Regular Athletic Tier – the Scarf Class (threshold x 5). Additionally, some of leagues have the “plus” sign in the League Threshold, which means that the qualification for the Chamber Classes is also awarded to the winner of domestic cup. If Threshold is 0 (zero) – clubs can be qualified only to the Regular Athletic Tier. This algorithm allows clubs which never or rarely played in the continental club competitions to enter to the KA Global Football Club Rating. The League Threshold for the best leagues is usually equal to the number of teams involved in the league. For the lower-ranked leagues the League Threshold is 0 (zero).
The Continental Algorithm takes into account the position of a club in the KA Continental Competitions Club Rankings and the original points accrued in these rankings. This allows clubs from lower-ranked leagues to enter directly the KA Global Football Club Rating. Depending on the points obtained in these rankings as well as the position of the continent in the KA Federation Ranking – these clubs can be allowed in various Tiers.
Allocation for the Chamber Classes is making according to the KA Club Coefficient, wherein crucial meaning has use of medians. Allocation for the Classes of the Regular Athletic Tier is making directly by the National or Continental Algorithm.
#9 Leagues Qualification Algorithms
Both league’s entry to the rating by name and affiliation to a specific Tier is based on the special qualification algorithm. The algorithm has two-forms: Global Algorithm and Continental Algorithm.
The Global Algorithm takes into account the value of Global FI2 and half of CFRI. The Continental Algorithm takes into account also the position in the KA Continental Competitions Leagues Rankings and the original points accrued in these rankings (Continental Strength Factor).
Leagues are allocated to the Tiers and Classes according to different conditions relating to the KA League Points, League Thresholds, ICL Points, FI2 or CFRI.
The KA Club Coefficient decides, as a rule, about the quarterly position in the KA Global Football Club Rating. This coefficient is calculated according to the formula:
= (IC3 x 3 + the KA League Coefficient x 2 + Domestic Club Coefficient) / 6
The Domestic Club Coefficient (DC2) refers to the club’s current position in the league table. The current league table is understood as the final table or table set in the middle of the season. The team holding the first place in the table is assigned the value of the Maximum Coefficient, the last team – the Minimum Coefficient, and the others the proportionally. In the final table, teams relegated to lower league are not included, and at the same time the teams that have been promoted are taken into account. In the case where the league competition model provides for play-off / knockout matches – the league table is set for the needs of the KA Rating.
The reference point is the Coefficient of the value of 1,000 (one). The value of 1 (one) is a breakpoint in the club’s rating. Clubs with a coefficient at least 1 (one) should be considered as clubs with established and lasting renown and reputation in the football world.
If, according to the qualification algorithm or because of the too low the KA Club Coefficient – the club is not qualified for the Chamber Classes, but can be assigned to the Regular Athletic Tier – then an alternative indicator is used – the Antechamber Rating Coefficient – ARC. This indicator is based primarily on the IC2 Points, taking into account also the club’s position in the league table and the league’s position in the KA Global Football Leagues Rating..
the Kick Algorithms Design
the KA Leagues Rating Outline
the KA Club Rating Outline
Here there are examples of regulations for the Kick Algorithms. However currently some amendments are prepared or just have been introduced due to changes taking place in international competitions and because of COVID pandemic (canceling games, postponing, rescheduling). All new regulation will be published in the autumn.
