Can Congress Bring Back Promotion and Relegation? The Battle Rocking Liga MX
Por Carlos Rodríguez ·
Promotion and relegation in Liga MX have returned to the forefront of the debate in Mexico. The Senate has opened a debate on the possibility of reinstating a system that would allow clubs from lower divisions to reach the First Division based on athletic merit, while experts question the legal limits of congressional intervention. The discussion gained momentum following the roundtable discussion “Offside: Why Is It Unfair to Cancel Promotion and Relegation in Soccer?”, held on September 21, and legislative initiatives related to sports development and the return of promotion and relegation.
On September 23, senators such as Mauricio Vila Dosal and José Máximo García López publicly expressed their support for an initiative presented by Movimiento Ciudadano to restore order to Mexican professional soccer. The question is what authority Congress would actually have to change the rules of professional soccer.
Lawyer Warns of Obstacles for Congress
Attorney José Luis Guerrero explained to AS México that, based on his legal interpretation, a potential legal reform could not simply overturn decisions previously made by the Mexican Soccer Federation.
Guerrero based his argument on the principle of the non-retroactivity of the law and on the legal nature of the FMF as an association whose members make decisions through their own internal mechanisms.
According to his analysis, subsequent legislation would have prospective effect.
However, it would not necessarily invalidate agreements previously adopted in accordance with the Federation’s bylaws.
To challenge a previous decision, he explained, one would have to challenge the legality of the procedure by which it was approved.
Including matters such as the notice of the meeting, quorum, and resolutions of the assembly.
For that reason, he described the possibility of reversing the decision in that way as a “futile political maneuver.”
This is Guerrero’s legal opinion and not a ruling that definitively determines Congress’s authority on this matter (Filed under: Liga MX Promotion and Relegation: Debate).
What do the rules currently say?
The regulations published by the Mexican Soccer Federation state that, as a result of agreements adopted by the Liga MX and Expansión MX club assemblies and ratified by the Federation, there is currently no promotion to Liga MX or relegation to Expansión MX.
The FMF itself had previously established conditions for a potential revival of the system, including certification requirements for Expansion clubs.
The legislative debate, however, continues.
Senator Miguel Márquez stated on September 14 that Mexico should once again seriously discuss promotion and relegation because he believes it would allow teams from lower divisions to advance based on athletic merit.
He also linked the issue to the creation of opportunities for Mexican soccer players.
Mauricio Vila, for his part, argued during the Senate roundtable discussion that there are significant economic differences between the two categories:
He cited average revenues of nearly $63 million for a Liga MX club, compared to $2.2 million for an Expansión club (Filed under: Liga MX promotion and relegation: debate).
For more information, visit NuevaOnda.com