 Moreover, due to the League-Federation dispute, the competition took an even lower standard between 2002 and 2007.During that period, the Segunda Divisão was "de facto" the 4th tier of the league system, although considered "de jure" the 3rd tier by the Portuguese Handball Federation.As the dispute ended, the Segunda Divisão became "de facto" the 3rd tier of Portuguese handball in 2007.