Senate pushes for promotion & relegation return to Liga MX | OneFootball

An air of optimism has flown around Mexico this week as new reports suggest that the Mexican government have taken matters into their own hands to resolve the ongoing debate surrounding promotions and relegations.

Since 2020, all promotions and relegations have been removed from professional football in the country, despite rising concerns from fans across the league.

Initially, the decision was made due to the financial impacts of COVID-19, with many teams suffering as a result, but six years on, we have seen little to no change.

Protests in the second division

Over the years, teams in the second division – Liga de Expansíon – had been promised that opportunities to return to the Liga MX would come, but there’s been significant pushback on this from the teams in the league.

When the decision was made back in 2020, 10 teams voted in favour of the decision, with the likes of Atlético San Luis, FC Juárez and Puebla amongst them while Chivas, Cruz Azul and Pumas led the way in voting against the ruling.

Looking at the way teams voted, a clear pattern prevailed showing that teams that struggled further down the table voted to remove potential relegations in order to protect their own interests, while more established teams in the league were more likely to vote to keep promotions and relegations.

While self-interest played a major role in the decision-making, one thing is for sure: teams stuck in the second division will stay silent.

A decision that lit the flame of outrage was the move to welcome Atlante back to the Liga MX, after 12 years away, not because of their on-field merits, but because of their acquisition of the rights of Mazatlán FC, who have since dissolved.

As a result, this season has been flooded with protests from teams like Leones Negros and Monacras Morelia, two teams with top-flight history, aiming to disrupt the status quo to force their way back to a place they feel they belong.

A decision which may change everything

As reported by ESPN, Mexican government senators have officially taken an interest in the situation, looking to write into law a bill that would force the hand of Liga MX decision-makers.

Led by senator Clemente Castañeda, a new bill is being issued this week that would make promotions and relegations, based on sporting achievements, an obligation. There’s an effort to bring balance and reward to teams deserving of a place in the Liga MX, rather than continuing to keep teams trapped in the second division, regardless of their accomplishments in the league.

The motion has caused a major stir within Mexican football, with leading executives of the football federation, Mikel Arriola and Francisco Iturbide, refusing to attend the meeting.

In attendance, however, were representatives of teams from the current Liga de Expansíon, who will be hoping that their prayers for merit-based access to the Liga MX come true.

What’s next for the Liga MX?

Next steps from the Senate remain to be seen, but reports indicate that the bill is being supported within the government.

At the same time, a hearing at the Court of Arbitration is under review, with teams from the Expansíon appealing the current situation, but an official hearing date is yet to be confirmed.

It’s expected that the current decision-makers – those at the top of the Mexican football federation and heads of all 18 Liga MX clubs – will push back on the idea until it is officially written into law.

For now, it remains a waiting game for everyone interested in Mexican football, but news coming out this week provides a small piece of hope for those wishing for better days.