Mexican second-division soccer clubs have filed a legal challenge against Liga MX after the league abolished its promotion and relegation system.
The decision removes the primary mechanism for lower-tier teams to earn a spot in Mexico's top professional league. Critics argue this shift eliminates competitive incentives and undermines the integrity of the sport.
Ten second-division clubs filed a claim with the Court of Arbitration for Sport against Liga MX and the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) [1]. These teams seek to reverse the decision that prevents them from ascending to the first division based on sporting merit.
Protests have erupted across the country during both Liga MX matches and Liga de Expansión fixtures. In one instance, a match involving Mineros de Zacatecas and Correcaminos UAT became a focal point for demonstrations against the league's leadership.
Fans and club officials said the removal of the system will ruin the league. They argue that without the threat of relegation or the hope of promotion, the quality of play and fan engagement will decline.
Liga MX officials have not provided a detailed public justification for the suspension of the system in the provided records, but the move has created a deep rift between the top-flight organization and the teams in the second division.
The legal battle now moves to international arbitration, where the clubs hope to force a return to the traditional system of merit-based movement between divisions.
“Ten second-division clubs filed a claim with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”
The transition to a closed-league model mirrors the structure of major U.S. sports leagues, prioritizing financial stability and franchise value over sporting merit. By eliminating relegation, Liga MX protects its member clubs from the financial loss associated with dropping to a lower division, but it risks alienating a fan base that views the 'open' system as essential to the soul of global soccer.
