2002–03 Honduran Liga Nacional

The 2002–03 season in the Honduran Liga Nacional was the 37th edition since the intervention of the professional league in Honduran football. The season was divided into two halves (Apertura and Clausura) which ran from August 2002 to June 2003.

2002–03 teams
• Honduras Salzburg (El Progreso) (promoted)

• Marathón (San Pedro Sula)

• Motagua (Tegucigalpa)

• Olimpia (Tegucigalpa)

• Platense (Tegucigalpa)

• Real España (San Pedro Sula)

• Real Maya / Real Patepluma (Comayagua)

• Universidad (Tegucigalpa)

• Victoria (La Ceiba)

• Vida (La Ceiba)


 * Real Maya changed its name to Real Patepluma for the Clausura tournament and moved to Santa Bárbara.

Apertura
The Apertura tournament lasted from August to December 2002, C.D. Olimpia defeated C.D. Platense in the Final to secure its 16th league title.

Results

 * As of 24 November 2002

Platense vs Real España

 * Platense won 2–1 on aggregate score.

Olimpia vs Marathón

 * Olimpia won 2–1 on aggregate score.

Platense vs Olimpia

 * Olimpia won 3–2 on aggregate.

Top goalscorers
15 goals 11 goals 6 goals
 * 🇧🇷 Marcelo Ferreira (Platense)
 * 🇧🇷 Luciano Emílio (Real España)
 * 🇧🇷 Denilson Costa (Olimpia)

Clausura
The Clausura tournament was played from February to June 2003. C.D. Marathón took revenge a year and a half later and defeated C.D. Motagua in the finals to claim its 4th league title.

Results

 * As of 10 May 2003

Olimpia vs Motagua

 * Motagua won 4–2 on aggregate score.

Marathón vs Real España

 * Marathón 2–2 Real España on aggregate score; Marathón advanced on better Regular season performance.

Marathón vs Motagua

 * Marathón won 4–1 on aggregate score.

Top goalscorers
10 goals 8 goals 6 goals 6 goals 5 goals 4 goals 3 goals
 * 🇧🇷 Luciano Emílio (Real España)
 * Pompilio Cacho (C.D. Marathón)
 * 🇧🇷 Denilson Costa (C.D. Marathón)
 * Wilmer Velásquez (Olimpia)
 * 🇧🇷 Pedro Santana (Real España)
 * Jairo Martínez (Motagua)
 * José Pacini (Marathón)
 * 🇦🇷 Danilo Tosello (Olimpia)
 * Luis Oseguera (Motagua)
 * Emil Martínez (Marathón)
 * Francisco Ramírez (Platense)
 * 🇧🇷 Marcelo Ferreira (Olimpia)
 * Abidán Solís (Motagua)
 * Clifford Laing (Platense)

Relegation
Relegation was determined by the aggregated table of both Apertura and Clausura tournaments. On 10 May 2003, C.D. Victoria were relegated to Liga de Ascenso, however they bought Honduras Salzburg's franchise and stayed in first division.

Controversies
During the Apertura tournament, C.D. Marathón hosted Real C.D. España on week 9, the match was played on 28 September and ended with a 0–2 away win to Real España. During halftime, Real España delayed more than 15 minutes and returned late to play the second half. Marathón alleged and the Board of Discipline annulled the game. A rematch was played on 13 October ending in a 0–0 draw. Such decision affected the final standings which resulted in Marathón owning the third place and sent Real España to fourth.