Format
It'll be played in two stages: the first one is a standard round-robin tournament in which all teams play each other in home and away fixtures. The bottom 2 clubs of this stage will be relegated to 2012 Campeonato Paraibano Second Division. The second stage will be played in a play-off format, where the 4 best-placed teams from the first stage will compete. If the champion from both stages ends up being the same team, the said team will be declared the 2011 Campeonato Paraibano champion. Otherwise, the winners from the two stages will play a two-legged play-off to decide the champion. In any of the play-off stages, the clubs with the best records in the first stage are higher seeded, advancing in case of a draw.Team information
First stage
Standings
The 2011 Campeonato Paraibano first stage began on February 2 and ended on May 1.Results
Second stage
Semifinals
First legs were played on 5 May 2011. Return legs were played on 8 May 2011.Finals
Matches were played on 18 and 22 May.Botafogo v. Treze
In the second stage semifinals, Botafogo and Treze competed. In the first match, Botafogo won 4–0. In the second half of the second match, Treze was winning 3–0 ahead when striker Vavá scored the fourth goal and proceeded to celebrate by mimicking an artillery soldier in front of Botafogo supporters. A fight then ensued, involving even Botafogo's head coach, Maurício Cabedelo. Five players were sent-off – 3 from Treze and 2 from Botafogo. After the game was restarted, Treze's sideback Ferreira and midfielder Doda fell on the ground, claiming injuries. Due to one of the teams not having at least seven players on the field, the match was declared finished with a 4–0 score, which favoured Treze and allowed the Campina Grande side to play in the second stage final against rivals Campinense. Treze and Campinense played, with the aggregate score of 2–2 supposedly giving Treze the title of Campeonato Paraibano champion. Botafogo judicially accused Treze of trying to fake injuries in order to finish the semifinals second match earlier than the 90 minute mark. The Paraíba state's Court of Sporting Justice (TJDF-PB) decided that Treze would lose its points from the second stage, and that Botafogo would decide the second stage winner spot against Campinense. The second stage finals were scheduled to take place in 19 and 26 June 2011. Treze appealed to the Supreme Court of Sporting Justice (STJD), and on 17 June 2011, it was announced that Treze's appeal was successful and the 19 June match was suspended. On 30 June 2011, Treze's second stage title was confirmed by the STJD, thus making the Campina Grande side Campeonato Paraibano champions for the fifteenth time.References