Mexico's National Antitrust Commission (CNA) announced on Monday that it has launched an investigation into potential monopolistic practices in domestic soccer, prompted by fan complaints over anti-competitive behaviour. The probe centres on the absence of a promotion and relegation system. Second-division teams and players have been protesting for weeks, demanding the right to go up to the top flight as they did in the past.
Several lower-tier clubs even appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) last year and another appeal was lodged in August of this year. Although the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) suspended promotion in 2019 with an agreement to restore it by 2026, no active plans exist to reinstate the system. Owners of the 18 first-division teams voted to suspend promotion and relegation for six seasons, arguing that it would help stabilise second-division clubs.
The CNA has stated that the inquiry does not predetermine guilt, but warned that if anti-competitive liability is established, the FMF could face fines of up to 10 percent of its annual revenue. The agency will now investigate the matter further, with the next step being the gathering of evidence and potential hearings.