The debate over the return of promotion and relegation in Mexican soccer reached the Senate on Monday, where soccer players and representatives of the Expansion League presented their positions, and it was announced that a bill would be introduced to re-regulate the system.
One of the key figures was Roberto Galán de Morales, the Spanish goalkeeper for Atlético Morelia, who questioned the current competitive model and asserted that the absence of promotion and relegation fosters mediocrity in Mexican soccer.
During his presentation, the goalkeeper recalled that he came to Mexico with the promise of playing for a club with aspirations of reaching the top division, which is why he believes that the athletic merit and effort of the Expansion League players should pave the way to the First Division.
“Promotion is necessary; otherwise, we’re promoting a completely mediocre competition system,” Galán de Morales said.
The player also referred to Santos, a team that had not secured a single victory through Matchday 7 of Liga MX, and criticized Aleco Irarragorri, president of the Santos team, who was caught on camera singing “Color Esperanza” during a party.
“We have teams that hadn’t won a single game through Matchday 7 of Liga MX (Santos)—though, to be fair, they were playing the ‘Song of Hope,’ which is great,” he commented.
Galán de Morales also questioned the fact that teams in the Expansion League cannot earn promotion on the field and that entry into the top division depends on the arrival of an investment fund or a businessman willing to pay between 80 and 90 million dollars for a spot in the First Division.
“That’s what’s happening—sporting merit, our dreams, our efforts,” he said.
Soccer Players Are Workers, Too
The Atlético Morelia goalkeeper also brought up the working conditions of professional soccer players and asserted that their rights have been affected by the current competition system.
“We always talk about soccer as an industry completely separate from other industries, but that’s not true. Soccer players who are fulfilling their dream—and possibly that of the majority of the population—aren’t considered workers, yet of course we are workers,” he said.
Galán de Morales also stated that over the past six years, soccer players have lost 80 percent of their salaries, despite maintaining the same work hours and putting in the same effort.
“That’s why you’re seeing these protests—that’s why there are banners and T-shirts—and we’re going to keep it up,” he added.
The Spaniard believes that the movement in favor of promotion and relegation represents an important moment for Mexican soccer and assured that the players will continue to voice their dissatisfaction.
He Asked Senators for Support
Finally, Roberto Galán de Morales addressed the senators and asked them to support the fight of the Expansion League clubs seeking to reinstate promotion and relegation, even though the Mexican Soccer Federation and Liga MX have stated that the return of the system “is not viable.”
“I want to send a message to the senators: we have the opportunity to make history together,” he said.
The Spanish goalkeeper insisted that soccer players have an obligation to voice their dissent against what they consider injustices, while the Senate has the opportunity to hear their demands and take steps to reopen the door to promotion and relegation in Mexican soccer.
