[REVISION HISTORY]

Mexican Senate and FMF debate football promotion reform

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2026-10-30 18:25 UTC → 2026-10-31 15:57 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Mexican Senate has moved to formalize a legislative initiative to reform the General Law of Physical Culture and Sport, aiming to mandate ‘sporting merit’ as the primary mechanism for movement between professional divisions. Proposed by Senator Clemente Castañeda, the reform has gained support from multiple political groups, including Morena and PAN. During Senate dialogues, players and officials reported concerns regarding retaliation; Atlético Morelia goalkeeper Roberto Galán alleged threats of contract termination for opposing the closed system, while Leones Negros president José Alberto Castellanos Gutiérrez reported facing retaliation for seeking legal recourse through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The debate has highlighted a massive economic disparity, with Liga MX club budgets averaging 36 times larger than those in the Expansion League. Amidst these tensions, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) announced a restructuring plan that includes the scheduled reinstatement of promotion and relegation starting in August 2027, alongside a plan to expand the top division to 20 clubs by 2030. ~~In recent developments, FMF Commissioner Mikel Arriola stated the federation is building a structured system to connect the amateur sector through to the professional divisions.~~ To address economic disparities, the FMF ~~announced~~ has approved a solidarity fund for the 16 clubs in the Liga de Expansión MX. Financed by profits from Liga MX ~~clubs. This~~ and the Mexican National Team, the fund aims to support ~~sports,~~ sporting, administrative, and infrastructure investments, such as ~~stadium~~ stadiums and training facilities, to help teams meet the criteria required to eventually compete in Liga MX. FMF Commissioner Mikel Arriola stated the fund marks the beginning of a process to stabilize second division finances. Meanwhile, legal proceedings continue, with the CAS scheduled to hold hearings on November 18 and 19, 2026, regarding a lawsuit filed by five Expansion MX clubs against the FMF and Liga MX.

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