Mikel Arriola and Francisco Iturbide absent from Senate debate on promotion and relegation
Key FMF and Liga MX officials did not attend a Senate forum discussing the suspension of promotion and relegation in Mexican football.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC0 / Author: FromMorningToMidnight
On Monday, September 21, the Mexican Senate hosted a forum to discuss the current state of promotion and relegation in the domestic football system. The event, titled "Out of Bounds: Why is it unfair to cancel promotion and relegation in football?", proceeded without the attendance of two of the most significant figures in the sport.
Mikel Arriola, commissioner of the Mexican Football Federation (FMF), and Francisco Iturbide, executive president of Liga MX, were invited to participate but did not attend the sessions. Senator Clemente Castañeda, who organized the forum, had previously confirmed that the invitations were extended, though no formal confirmation of their absence or attendance was received prior to the meeting.
The absence of FMF and Liga MX leadership meant the discussion was instead led by representatives from the Expansion League, legal experts, former players, and journalists. Notable club participants included Cancun FC, Leones Negros, Mineros de Zacatecas, Atletico La Paz, and Atletico Morelia.
The debate was structured to cover the sporting, labor, and economic implications of the current "closed" system. Clemente Castañeda emphasized that the issue is a matter of public interest and social mobility, arguing that the lack of movement between tiers hampers professional development for athletes across the country.