CAS Dismisses Appeal by Six Liga MX Clubs Over Promotion and Relegation Suspension

Background of the Dispute

The controversy stems from the FMF’s April 29, 2025 decision confirming that the suspension of promotion and relegation would continue for the 2025/2026 Liga MX season.

• The original suspension was introduced in the 2019/2020 season during the Covid-19 pandemic.
• It was initially set for six seasons, affecting the competitive structure of Liga MX until at least 2025/2026.
• The rationale presented by FMF was financial stabilization, given severe revenue disruptions caused by the pandemic.

Dissatisfied with this decision, 10 second-division clubs filed an appeal with CAS on May 19, 2025, seeking to reinstate promotion and relegation for the upcoming season. However, four clubs — CF Atlante, Cimarrones de Sonora FC, Alebrijes de Oaxaca FC, and Jaiba Brava — eventually withdrew, leaving six appellants:

1. Club Atlético La Paz
2. Club Atlético Morelia
3. Cancún FC
4. CD Mineros de Zacatecas
5. Venados FC
6. Leones Negros de la UdeG

Key Legal Issues Raised

The appeal presented several critical legal and regulatory issues:

1. Authority of National Federations

• Could the FMF unilaterally suspend promotion and relegation without broader stakeholder approval?
• Did this decision comply with FIFA’s regulatory framework on league structures?

2. Protection of Clubs’ Sporting Rights

• The clubs argued that suspending promotion/relegation infringed upon their sporting merit and competitive opportunities.
• They claimed the decision contradicted the principle of “sporting meritocracy”, a cornerstone in FIFA statutes.

3. Validity of the 2020 FMF General Assembly Decision

• The CAS Panel assessed whether the April 24, 2020 FMF resolution, which introduced the suspension, applied consistently with the April 29, 2025 decision.

CAS Panel’s Findings

Following an in-person hearing on August 28, 2025, in Mexico City, the CAS Panel fully dismissed the appeal. The reasoning can be summarized as follows:

• The Panel determined that the FMF’s decision in April 2025 was consistent with its original 2020 resolution.
• The affected seasons were clearly defined since 2020, and clubs were informed from the outset that the suspension would extend through the 2025/2026 season.
• Consequently, the CAS found no breach of procedural fairness or statutory obligations by FMF.

Implications for Mexican Football

This ruling has significant implications for clubs, players, and regulators in Mexico and beyond:

For Liga MX Clubs

• Second-division teams cannot be promoted until at least the 2026/2027 season.
• Clubs must re-evaluate financial strategies as access to top-tier revenues remains restricted.

For FMF Governance

• CAS has reinforced FMF’s regulatory autonomy, solidifying its authority to structure competitions when justified by financial or operational needs.

For International Sports Law

• The case reaffirms CAS’s consistent deference to national federations in matters of internal governance when procedures are transparent and decisions are communicated clearly.

Conclusion

The CAS decision in Club Atlético La Paz & Others v. FMF sets a critical precedent for disputes involving league restructuring and federation authority. While second-division clubs face another season without promotion, the ruling clarifies that transparency and procedural compliance are key when federations make impactful governance decisions.

The full CAS award, including detailed reasoning, will be published on the official CAS website in due course.