MEXICO CITY (AP) — Ten of 16 second division teams seeking to reinstate promotion and relegation in Mexico have filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Among the disgruntled is Atlante, a club that was founded in 1918 and has won two league titles but was relegated in 2014.
Since the Mexican Soccer Federation halted promotion in the 2019-2020 season, the Potros de Hierro have won the second division three times.
“There’s a document where it was established that promotion and relegation was suspended until 2026, but it did not say that it was cancelled,” said Atlante’s owner Emilio Escalante.
The other nine clubs are Atlético La Paz, Atlético Morelia, Cancún, Cimarrones, Alebrijes Oaxaca, Mineros, Venados, Leones Negros and Jaiba Brava.
The Mexican soccer federation declined to comment on the appeal because they have not been notified of it.
The CAS said that it has not yet scheduled a date for a hearing.
The owners of the 18 top-flight teams voted to halt promotion and relegation for six seasons, arguing that it would help to consolidate the second-division clubs before moving into the first division.
Each second division team receives $845,000 a year. Those that finish in the last three places after the two-tournament season are forced to pay a combined $8 million that is spread among the clubs.
“That economic support they provide has remained the same for the past five years and it's meaningless now. Everything costs more now,” said Escalante.
Escalante bought Atlante in 2020 and accepted the league conditions.
"They promised they would reopen promotion in 2026. We are very close to that date and they don’t say anything,” Escalante added.
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Carlos Rodriguez, The Associated Press
