Mexican football needs our help.
Instead of restoring promotion and relegation, the Mexican Football Federation has announced that there will be no promotion or relegation going forward.
The process has been driven by commercial interests and conflicts of interest rather than by what is best for Mexican football.
After years of promises that promotion would return, those promises have not been kept.
It's unfair to the many clubs, players and supporters in Mexico's lower divisions.
This should be the moment to strengthen the football pyramid, not close it.
Mexican football has enormous potential. The national team has just enjoyed one of its best World Cups, a talented new generation is emerging, stadiums are full of passionate supporters, and football is deeply rooted in the country's culture.
A few years ago, the Mexican Football Federation suspended promotion and relegation, arguing that clubs needed greater financial stability after the COVID-19 pandemic. The measure was presented as temporary, with the promise that promotion would return once second-division clubs had become stronger financially and institutionally.
During that period, clubs were told they would receive financial support, improve their infrastructure, strengthen their youth academies and work towards a certification process that would allow them to earn promotion to Liga MX.
That promise has not been fulfilled.
The consequences go far beyond the clubs themselves. Thousands of players now see their pathway to the top division blocked, regardless of their performances. Historic clubs with passionate fan bases have no sporting route to Liga MX, even if they win the league. Supporters are losing hope because their teams can no longer dream of reaching the highest level through sporting merit.
The issue is also financial. According to the clubs involved, Liga de Expansión teams receive only a tiny fraction of the television revenue earned by Liga MX clubs. They also argue that they do not receive a share of key commercial revenues generated by Mexican football, making it even harder to close the financial gap that is then used to justify keeping promotion closed.
The certification process was also criticised by the clubs, who argue that the final decision depended on a voting committee that included Liga MX representatives, creating what they believe to be a conflict of interest.
Several clubs have already taken their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), arguing that access to the top division should continue to be determined by sporting merit.
If you care about football, please help make this story heard.
Promotion and relegation are more than just a competition format. They represent hope, ambition and opportunity for every player, coach, club and supporter.
Football should reward sporting merit. Every club should have the right to dream of reaching the top division by earning it on the pitch.
🚨🤯 This happened today in the match between Mineros and Correcaminos in Liga de Expansión.
The players REFUSED TO PLAY during the opening minute of their game in PROTEST against the elimination of promotion/relegation in Mexico.
Bring PRO/REL back. ✊🏼
Para todas las armys y kpopers que llegaron recientemente al futbol mexicano, es su momento de hacer lo que mejor se les da y volver horrible la existencia de la federacion hasta que nos regresen lo que nos quitaron hace años
Y si esto los hace enojar, esperen a cuando anuncien la fusión con la MLS.
El aficionado del futbol mexicano debe poner la mano fuerte en la mesa.
Este es de los peores momentos en la historia de nuestro deporte