LIGA MX
Fans collect signatures to return to promotion and relegation system in Liga MX
A group of fans created an online petition to return to how the league worked in the past, with relegation and promotion.
A group of fans have joined together to collect signatures in support of the return to a promotion and relegation system in Mexican football, which was abolished in 2020. The website change.org was where the fans began the petition, called ‘Promotion in Mexican football’ (Ascenso en el fútbol mexicano) in which they requested support, through signatures, in order to convince those who run Mexican football to revert to the old competition system.
In 2020, the Mexican league system was changed to scrap promotion and relegation for 6 years in order to help teams from going bust. The project was known as a development league: a 12 team division, in which financial restrictions were placed on teams in order to stabilise them. As for the lower teams in the first division, instead of going down, would be fined.
A decision will be made in May 2023
“Mexican football was traditionally based on competition, with relegation for those teams that didn’t get enough points and the reward of first division football for those that did. In an unprecedented move, the directors of the sport got rid of promotion and relegation. We ask you to help us rescue it. Competitive football makes quality football; PROMOTION AND RELEGATION NOW”, reads the message on the website.
The petition is being shared on social media and, as of the time of writing, has over 500 signatures, mainly from Liga Expansión fans, Mexico’s second division, where teams such as Atlante and Atlético Morelia play.
It is worth remembering that the next meeting of the league bosses this year will be held in May. There it will be decided whether or not Mexican football will return to the old system or extend the current one for at least another year.
