Mexico launches antitrust investigation over alleged monopolistic soccer practices

Mexico's National Antitrust Commission (CNA) has initiated an investigation into potential monopolistic practices within the country's soccer industry, following fan complaints over alleged anti-competitive behavior. The probe is focused on the absence of a promotion and relegation system between the top and lower divisions.

Second-division clubs and players have long complained about the lack of opportunities to rise to the top tier, a situation that has led to their protests and a lawsuit against the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) last year. While the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) agreed to restore promotion and relegation in 2019, with plans to implement them by 2026, no concrete actions have been taken to reintroduce the system.

The 18 teams in the top division recently voted to suspend promotion and relegation for six years, citing the need to stabilize second-division clubs. The FMF claims that lower-tier teams can still apply for promotion based on specific operational criteria, such as minimum stadium capacity standards.

However, the CNA has determined that there is enough evidence to formally launch an investigation into potential monopolistic practices within the Mexican professional soccer market. The agency stressed that the inquiry does not assume guilt but warned that if anti-competitive liability is proven, the FMF could face fines up to 10 percent of its annual revenue.