The long-awaited decision by CAS has been handed down and it ruled in favor of Liga MX and the FMF. While their case was dismissed, Expansion teams look at this decision as a victory for the return of promotion and relegation.
Back in May of this year 10 Liga de Expansion teams sued the Mexican Football Federation in order to bring back pro/rel. The 10 teams were:
CF Atlante, Club Atlético La Paz, Club Atlético Morelia, Cancún FC, Cimarrones de Sonora FC, Alebrijes de Oaxaca FC, CD Mineros de Zacatecas,
Venados FC, Leones Negros de la UdeG and Jaiba Brava.
Days following this announcement, four teams bowed out and many fans criticized the teams for doing so. Many believed the league and federation had a hand in it by possibly making promises to those clubs for abandoning the lawsuit. Only six clubs remained:
Club Atlético La Paz, Club Atlético Morelia, Cancún FC, CD Mineros de Zacatecas, Venados FC and Leones Negros de la UdeG.
From the beginning, Expansion were fighting an uphill battle as it looked like CAS was going to side with the federation. Expansion looked for an immediate reinstatement of pro/rel even though Liga MX and FMF had stated it would be brought back but not until the 2026/2027 season. Since they had given a specific date as to its return, it was doubtful Expansion would win the lawsuit. As expected, CAS sighted with FMF and dismissed the case. According to the media release, an in-person meeting was held in Mexico City in August where a panel examined all of the evidence. They dismissed the case because of a prior agreement made between Liga de Expansion and Liga MX to pause pro/rel until the end of the 2025/2026 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While this seemed like a loss for Expansion, they took this as a victory. In a joint statement, the league said they “celebrate the decision to confirm the return of promotion and relegation in Mexico for the ‘26/’27 season.”
While these words and the lawsuit seemed odd, it wasn’t. Expansion teams possibly started this lawsuit to put public pressure on Liga MX and the FMF about pro/rel. Even though the league had stated that it would return on that specific date, Expansion most likely did not believe them. This is due to how the league and the federation have gained a reputation for caring more about money than the development of the league, its players and clubs. With pro/rel it would help Mexican football at a time where they are in bad form. Not only will the league grow but so will the national team. Expansion teams possibly knew this and went for a lawsuit they knew they most likely were not going to win. If Liga MX, at this time next year, decided not to bring pro/rel back even though they said they would, they would be in major trouble. Expansion would, without a doubt and second to spare, start a lawsuit that would not benefit Liga MX and the FMF at all as they would face harsh punishments. Honestly, this was a brilliant move by Expansion teams. Now, tell us, how excited are you to have promotion and relegation back?
