In the first phase, the sixteen teams of the championship were divided into two groups of eight, with each team playing once against the teams of its own group and twice against the other group's teams. The two best teams of each group qualified into the Final Group and the two teams with the fewest points out of the sixteen were relegated.
Updated to match(es) played on 18 May 1997. Source: RSSSF.com Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) wins; 3) goal difference; 4) number of goals scored.
Updated to match(es) played on 18 May 1997. Source: RSSSF.com Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) wins; 3) goal difference; 4) number of goals scored.