Copa Rommel Fernández
| Country | Panama |
|---|---|
| Confederation | CONCACAF |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Number of teams | 20 |
| Level on pyramid | 3 |
| Promotion to | Liga Nacional de Ascenso |
| Relegation to | Local district leagues |
| Current champions | River Plate David |
| Website | Fepafut |
 Copa Rommel Fernández 2013 |
|
The Copa Rommel Fernández is the third level of Panama's national club championship. It was founded in 1996 and it's a seasonal tournament that lasts 2 months in which the champion is promoted to Liga Nacional de Ascenso. The tournament is named after Panamanian football legend Rommel Fernández. The tournament is presided by Lucas Fernández and managed by Panamanian Football Federation.
Since the championship is seasonal only, at the end of each competition each of the teams (except the champions) are relegated to their respective district leagues where they compete to earn a spot for the following season. Additionally, the team relegated from the Liga Nacional de Ascenso automatically holds a spot to compete in the Copa Rommel Fernández after the end of the second division championship.
Format
The tournament is divided into three zones which include the qualified teams from each respective provincial tournaments (see below). Each province is represented by two teams except Panamá and Chiriquí which are represented by four teams each. Each team plays a single game against the other teams from their same zone, the two teams with most points in their respective zones will qualify to the final round. The eight qualified teams play a knock out stage which starts with rounds of 16 and finishes with a two team final. The champion gains promotion to the Liga Nacional de Ascenso held that same year.
Qualification
In order to gain the right to play in this tournament each team has to first participate in their respective district leagues. The champions of each respective district league will later on play with each other in a provincial tournament held by their respective province. The champion and the runner-up of the provincial tournaments obtain the right to represent their province in the Copa Rommel Fernández held the following year.
In the case of Panamá and Chiriquí the provincial tournament are divided by half (West and East Panamá and Occidental and Oriental (simply referred as "Chiriquí") Chiriquí). West Panama includes the districts that are over the Bridge of the Americas (Arraiján, La Chorrera, Chame and San Carlos). East Panama include the rest of the districts in the Panamá Province. Occidental Chiriquí includes the districts of Alanje, Boquerón, Bugaba, Renacimiento and Barú. The rest of the districts constitute Oriental Chiriquí (simply referred to as "Chiriquí").
Teams by Seasons
Past Champions & Runners-up
| Year | Winner | Runner-up | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 Details |
N/A | N/A | [1] | |
| 1997 Details |
La Primavera (Veraguas) | N/A | ||
| 1998 Details |
Solano FC | Inter de Guabito | 2-2 5-2**[2] |
|
| 1999-00 Details |
C.A.I. | Zona Libre FC (Changuinola) | 3-1[3] | |
| 2000-01 Details |
Orión (San Miguelito) | Vista Hermosa (Penonomé) | 3-1[4] | |
| 2002 Details |
River Plate de Colón | Río Abajo | 1-0 | |
| 2003 Details |
Boxer FC | Chitre FC | ||
| 2004 Details |
Atalanta Jr. | Chorrillito FC | ||
| 2005-06 Details |
Deportivo Génesis (Panamá Este) | Independiente F.C. (Veracruz) | 5-2[5] | |
| 2006-07 Details |
Paraíso FC (San Miguelito) | Chorrillito FC (Panamá Oeste) | 3-0[6] | |
| 2007-08 Details |
Chorrillito (Panamá Oeste) | Five Star (Bocas del Toro) | 4-2[7] | |
| 2008-09 Details |
Millenium (Barraza) | El Tecal (Arraijan) | 5-4*[8] | |
| 2009-10 Details |
SUNTRACS (San Miguelito) | Los Pumas (Penonomé) | 5-0[9] | |
| 2010-11 Details |
Santa Gema FC (Arraijan) | Atlético Evolution (Capira) | 4-0[10] | |
| 2011-12 Details |
Santos FC (La Chorrera) | AD San Antonio (Penonomé) | 3-0[11] | |
| 2012-13 Details |
CD Centenario (Panamá Este) | La Mesa FC (Veraguas) | 2-1* [12] | |
| 2013-14 Details |
River Plate David | Promesa de Dios (Pto. Caimito) | 1-1 4-2**[13] |
|
- [*] Won after extra time
- [**] Won penalty kick
