Expansion Clubs Support Licensing Rules Following TAS Ruling on Promotion

Six Liga de Expansión clubs that advocated for reinstating promotion and relegation in Mexican soccer expressed their satisfaction with the recent ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). As reported by Mediotiempo, the ruling eliminates the contentious certification process and paves the way for a standardized licensing system.

Giovanni Solazzi, the vice president of Cancún FC, mentioned that they are already developing a set of minimum standards to ensure that clubs moving up are adequately prepared. “We support establishing a licensing process, which is straightforward to implement and offers certainty,” he stated in an interview with Conexión MT.

While recognizing that many expansion clubs may not be fully prepared for promotion just yet, Solazzi cited the development of teams like Pachuca, Tijuana, and Atlético San Luis as proof that gradual improvement can align with promotion. “We understand the concerns of Liga MX owners, but there are ways to resolve them through clear rules and a transparent advancement process,” he added.

He pointed out that reinstating promotion would benefit the entire soccer ecosystem, increasing ticket sales, sponsorships, TV rights, and player salaries, enhancing the overall appeal of the league. Solazzi criticized the previous certification for its requirements, such as needing stadiums with 20,000 seats, which not all top-tier teams met.

While the clubs must still cover the expenses related to their case at CAS, they see this outcome as a crucial step toward strengthening Liga de Expansión and enhancing opportunities for players. “With well-structured rules, the league can grow significantly,” Solazzi concluded.