Cancún FC May Exit Mexican Soccer Over Promotion Ban

Cancún, Mexico — Cancún FC Vice President Giovanni Solazzi has issued a direct warning: if the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) and its executive president, Mikel Arriola, do not reinstate the promotion and relegation system, the international investment group backing the club will consider abandoning the project in Mexico.

Broken Promises and Investor Frustration

Solazzi, representing a binational group with U.S. and Mexican capital, accused the FMF of failing to honor its commitment to restore promotion this season. "The promise was clear: that promotion would return this season. They lied to us. They have not fulfilled it, and they haven’t even bothered to respond to our letters," Solazzi stated in an interview with La Octava Sports.

The group invested in Cancún FC based on verbal assurances from Mexican soccer authorities. After six consecutive seasons without promotion, Solazzi cited institutional unreliability as a key concern.

Ultimatum from Investors

Solazzi emphasized that Jeff Luhnow, president of the investment group, had already declared: "If promotion does not return, we are leaving Mexico."

"We invested out of conviction in what we believed was a solid project, but if the rules change or simply aren’t followed, we cannot continue," Solazzi explained. "We just acquired another club in Europe, in a top-tier league. If there’s no certainty here, we have somewhere else to go."

He revealed that one of Mexico’s most prominent businessmen, who owns a team in the Liga de Expansión, is now finalizing the purchase of a club in Portugal due to the lack of investment opportunities in Mexican soccer.

Criticism of Mikel Arriola

Solazzi directly blamed FMF President Mikel Arriola for failing to deliver on his promises. "When we acquired Cancún FC, they assured us promotion would return this season. Mikel Arriola was one of those who made this promise. Now, they remain silent. They haven’t answered a single letter," he said.

Financial Viability Without Promotion

Despite claims that Liga Expansión clubs operate at a loss, Solazzi disputed this, stating that Cancún FC remains financially stable. "It’s false. We don’t have a deficit. Firms like Deloitte and Football Benchmark audit us. The financial problems are more prevalent in Liga MX than here."

He acknowledged the challenges of sustaining operations with minimal television rights revenue and no promotion incentives but stressed the club’s responsible management.

Proposed Solutions

Cancún FC’s group has proposed concrete measures:

• Immediate promotion for one club without relegation this season.
• Expansion of Liga MX to 20 teams.
• Implementation of a financial "parachute" system by 2027 to support relegated clubs.

Solazzi suggested allocating 1% of club revenues to a protection fund, a model used in European leagues.

Regional Exclusion and Call for Reform

Solazzi highlighted the exclusion of southern Mexico from top-tier soccer, calling it "an aberration in a country with so much talent."

"The southernmost team in Liga MX is Puebla. Quintana Roo, Yucatán, Oaxaca, Chiapas—all are left out. Private investment is ready to enter, but they won’t allow it," he said.

He proposed a "Hugo Sánchez Law" to legislate promotion and relegation, similar to Brazil’s "Pelé Law," ensuring at least two promotions per season based on sporting merit.

Timeline: Six Seasons Without Promotion

• May 2020: FMF suspends promotion and relegation, creating Liga Expansión MX as a "temporary" development league.
• 2020-2021: First season without promotion.
• 2021-2022: Second season without promotion; certification criteria introduced.
• 2022-2023: Third season without promotion; only four clubs certified.
• 2023-2024: Fourth season without promotion; no clear reactivation date.
• February 2024: Arriola publicly promises promotion’s return for 2024-2025.
• 2024-2025 (current): Sixth season without promotion; investors threaten withdrawal.

Cancún FC’s stance underscores growing frustration among investors over the lack of transparency and structural reform in Mexican soccer.