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Mexican Senate moves to restore football promotion and relegation
The Mexican Senate is preparing a legislative initiative to mandate sporting merit and restore the promotion and relegation system in professional football. Proposed by Senator Clemente Castañeda, the reform aims to ensure competition across all national sports associations, not just football.
During a recent Senate dialogue, players and club officials raised serious concerns. Atlético Morelia goalkeeper Roberto Galán alleged that players who oppose the current closed system face threats from club executives and the FMF, including potential contract termination or being barred from playing. Alberto Castellanos, president of Leones Negros, also reported facing retaliation after seeking legal recourse through the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Legislators noted that the suspension of promotion and relegation, originally implemented in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was driven by economic models rather than sporting merit. While the measure provided temporary financial stability, critics argue it undermines competitive integrity. The National Antitrust Commission is currently investigating the professional football market for potential monopolistic practices.
Despite invitations to participate in the legislative discussions, FMF Commissioner Mikel Arriola and Liga MX President Francisco Iturbide did not attend or respond to the Senate.
Entities
Clemente Castañeda · Federación Mexicana de Futbol · Liga MX · Mexican Football Federation · Mexican Senate · Movimiento Ciudadano · Roberto Galán · Senado de la República
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Atlético Morelia goalkeeper Roberto Galán claims players have received threats from club executives and the FMF regarding their contracts if they speak out against the lack of promotion and relegation 889noticias.mx · xeudeportes.mx · laopinion.com · plazajuarez.mx
- [● 3 SOURCES] Senate President Higinio Martínez Miranda stated that the decision to cancel promotion and relegation was driven by economic models rather than sporting merit. contrastesdepuebla.mx · laregiontula.com.mx · www.diarioevolucion.com.mx
- [● 10 SOURCES] Senator Clemente Castañeda will present a legislative initiative to incorporate sporting merit and the promotion/relegation system into Mexican law. diariosinsecretos.com · cybermexico.mx · www.elbuentono.com.mx · juarezhoy.com.mx · lajornadasanluis.com.mx · +5 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] FMF Commissioner Mikel Arriola and Liga MX President Francisco Iturbide did not attend or respond to invitations for the Senate dialogue. 889noticias.mx · cybermexico.mx · juarezhoy.com.mx · vardeportivo.com · www.foxsports.com.mx · +4 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Leones Negros president Alberto Castellanos reported facing threats of retaliation after seeking legal recourse through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). lajornadasanluis.com.mx · ncscampeche.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The National Antitrust Commission is conducting a public investigation into professional football following complaints about the closed competition system. juarezhoy.com.mx · diariosinsecretos.com