Potential changes in Mexican football

Recently, the biggest selling sports daily Record has run a campaign entitled “For a better Mexican game” culminating in a mini-magazine highlighting problems and solutions in the game. For people in Europe a lot of things in the Mexican game are strange and difficult to grasp. I thought it'd be interesting to put together a brief resume of what Record thinks.

Here’s a few of the main problems Record points out:

Youth team setups – Result-driven short, six month tournament means that young players aren’t given enough playing time and are cast by the wayside.

Multi-ownership of teams – Collusion is highly possible. Televisa own America, San Luis and Necaxa; TV Azteca Morelia and Jaguares.

Owners’ council – Club owners make up a council that is vital in managing the game and making key decisions. Most also have other high-powered positions outside of football meaning that the few that take most interest have a massive say.

Draft – Players are treated like objects. Deals are done between the directors so it suits them, not necessarily the player.

Promoters/Agents – Influential in some clubs. Criticised for bringing in expensive foreign players who aren’t that good.

Gentlemen’s agreement – Players whose contract expires still belong to their club. The player doesn’t have freedom of movement. If he tries to leave, it’ll be difficult for him to find another club.

Lower leagues – Bascially not organized or good enough.

Competition system – Two championships each year decided by a playoff. Age old concern is that a team that doesn’t play very well and finishes 8th in the league can have a few good games and end up champion. Short competitions make medium and long term plans to construct a team less likely.

No players’ union

Television pays very little – Only makes up 20 percent of clubs’ revenue, compared to over 50 percent in the Premier League. Only Chivas and Monterrey have been able to negotiate better deals.

Some of the above problems are grave. Multi-ownership of clubs, the lack of leadership at the top level of the game and a criticism of the competition system aim a dart right at the heart of the game and rightly so. Others may be slightly exaggerated. For example, it could be argued that Mexico has produced quite a strong national team over the last 20 years and has players playing in Europe that other countries admire jealously.

Thankfully, Record also produced some solutions to the problems:

1) Longer tournaments

Only one champion per year so it means more to win it. Playoff (liguilla) system remains but group system would change (see number 2). Coaches could plan better and wouldn’t be fired so quickly. Young players would get more chances. Teams could buy two Mexican players and also sell two maximum. The same goes for foreigners.

2) Divide Mexico in two zones

Add two teams to make 20 in total in the top division. Create two big divisions, with ten teams in both, based loosely on where the teams are based (similar to MLS).
North: Chivas, Monterrey, Tigres, Santos, Atlas, Estudiantes, Leon, Necaxa, San Luis and Morelia
South: America, Cruz Azul, Pumas, Atlante, Veracruz, Puebla, Toluca, Pachuca, Queretaro and Chiapas.
-Every team would play the other twice
-Four best from each zone would advance to the playoffs.
-Champions and runner-up would play in the Concachampions
-One team relegated automatically each year with a playoff between the team with second least points and the runner-up in the Liga de Ascenso.

3) Copa de los Campeones

A cup between September and December to be played by teams that have won a Mexican title in their history. Big prize of 2-3 million dollars to be given to winner. Final would be played December 25. Three best teams go on to Copa Libertadores.

4) No Multi-ownerships

Owners would be forced to sell if they own more than one club.

5) Tighter foreign restrictions

Only four per club. Three would have had to have played a minimum number of times for one of their national teams (Under-17s up). Idea is to stop foreigners coming that aren't of top quality.

6) Separate the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) and the league

Similar to the Premier League and the Football Association in England.

7) Improved infrastructure

Invest in upgrading existing stadiums to increase attendance. Improve facilities in the youth teams.

8) TV companies get more influence but pay more

9) Improved refereeing

10) Better scheduling

These ideas are the thoughts of Record. It’d be great to hear some opinions about them. I’ll be posting my thoughts at a later date.