Conflict in the MX Expansion League due to promotion and relegation
The Apertura 2025 Tournament of the MX Expansion League starts today in a setting marked by tension. Six teams —Leones Negros, Cancún FC, Venados, Atlético Morelia, Mineros and Atlético La Paz— have filed a lawsuit before the Tribunal of Sports Arbitration (TAS) to reinstate the promotion and relegation system in Mexican soccer. This measure has generated a direct confrontation with the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) and the Liga MX, who maintain that certification for promotion is still available.
Withheld subsidies and coercive measures
The sports authorities have responded by withholding the annual subsidy of 20 million pesos that the plaintiff clubs receive. Additionally, the teams claim to have faced fines and disciplinary sanctions as part of a strategy to weaken their movement. Alberto Castellanos, president of the Leones Negros board, denounced: “Every time we made a decision, someone from the TAS got out. They are trying to disarm this movement with persuasive measures.”
The situation has worsened with the inclusion of Tepatitlán and Alebrijes, who described the certification process as a “lock” designed to prevent promotion. On the other hand, Giovanni Solazzi (vice president of Atlético La Paz) and José Luis Higuera (president of Atlético Morelia) have been brought before the Disciplinary Commission, which according to Castellanos, is part of a pattern of pressure.
Implications for the future of Mexican soccer
This conflict reflects a structural gap in Mexican soccer, where the lack of mobility between divisions limits the growth of smaller clubs. While the Liga MX argues that the current model guarantees financial stability, the Expansión teams insist that the absence of promotions disincentivizes investment and competitiveness.
The outcome of this dispute could set a key precedent for the future of national football. If the CAS rules in favor of the clubs, a debate that has been stagnant for years would be reopened. Otherwise, polarization between leagues could intensify, affecting not only sporting performance, but also the relationship between institutions.
What’s next? The teams have assured that they will continue their fight, even if that means facing more sanctions. Meanwhile, the tournament advances under the shadow of a legal battle that could redefine the model of professional soccer in Mexico.
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