LIGA MX
Rodríguez appointed as Mexican FA chief with new Liga MX changes approved
A series of changes were approved on Monday following a meeting of Liga MX ownership groups including a new television model, end to multi-club ownership and a change to the play-off system.
Monday presented a day of changes at the Mexican Football Federation. In addition to the appointment of new president Juan Carlos Rodríguez, the assembly of club owners approved the various modifications announced last January by Mikel Arriola and outgoing FMF head Yon de Luisa.
One of Rodriguez’s first tasks will be the overseeing of a new “Executive Commission of Mexican Soccer” with this new body set to manage issues such as the sale of television rights and multi-club ownership and a new structure to the second tier Liga MX Expansion League which will merge with the new Under 23 competition.
The reforms come in a bid to strengthen the domestic league and address a disappointing showing for Mexico at international level with the men’s U-20 men’s and women’s teams failing to secure places at their respective World Cups, with the U-20′s even missing out on a place at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. For the first time since 1978, the men’s international team failed to advance from the group stage at the 2022 World Cup which was deemed as a wake-up call.
Changes to Mexican soccer as approved at the FMF central office in Toluca:
Centralized sale of broadcasting rights (via Liga MX, in packages, and not on a individual club basis) along with commercial sponsorships in Mexico, the United States and the rest of the world.
A ‘new scheme’ to move towards the end of multi-club ownership models (Televisa once owned three first division teams: America, Necaxa and San Luis) by selling clubs and ‘attracting new investors’. Atlas, Santos, Querétaro and Mazatlán have already signed up to said scheme.
All clubs from 2024 will be required to submit financial reports to the league (economic control).
Creation of a new Under 23 category, which will eliminate the current U-20 system. The new system will merge with the existing Expansion League to create the competition called ‘Under 23 Expansion/Sub 23 Expansion’.
The promotion and relegation rules approved in 2020 are maintained with no changes anticipated in the short term with the the need for at least four certified teams in the second division that could then be economically eligible to fight for promotion. At present only one second tier club meet the required criteria.
Liga MX will apply the new FIFA regulations for soccer players' agents, in force since October 2023: there will be a cap on commissions for representatives, double representation will be prohibited and they will only be able to enter into negotiations with the clubs of Liga MX those who are officially registered with the FMF.
The current repechage undergoes modifications. An NBA inspired ‘play-in’ format will come into operation: teams finishing 1st-6th progress to the Liguilla as 7th vs. 10th and 8th vs. 9th sides will decide the last two Liguilla places.
Financial incentive for the best team of the season (the one that secures most points in the Apertura amd Clausura tournaments), starting in the 2023-2024 season. This team will qualify directly for the Concacaf Champions League and the Leagues Cup round of 32.
Reduction of foreign players on the field from eight to seven as of the Apertura 2023.
Plan to help Mexican players in Europe to obtain EU passports in two years.
The dates for the 2023 Apertura season were also approved with the new campaign set to start on 30 June ahead of all 18 Liga MX teams competing at the inaugural Leagues Cup against MLS clubs beginning on 21 July.