FMF: Expansion clubs are operating in the red
Promotion is not the main thing
FMF: Expansion clubs are operating in the red
▲ UdeG is one of the clubs calling for the return of promotion. Photo @leonesnegrosoficial
Alberto Aceves
La Jornada Newspaper, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, p. a11
In the Second Division of Mexican soccer, clubs are operating in the red, with operating expense and infrastructure problems that depend directly on the so-called Improvement Fund—a resource that grants 20 million pesos annually to each participant since 2020—, José Loyola, general director of economic control for the Mexican Football Federation (FMF), explains to La Jornada . With the case opened last month before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the situation of Leones Negros, Atlético La Paz, Cancún FC, Venados, and Mineros de Zacatecas will become even more complex as they are not self-sufficient entities, as was proposed when the promotion and relegation system was suspended.
On Monday, the directors of the Expansion League requested that the Chamber of Deputies' Sports Commission comply with the ruling issued by the CAS, which establishes the return of the old competition system after six seasons. The document is dated November 19, 2020, is part of a statutory process, and marks the season corresponding to that year as the starting year, not a previous one, as established in their demands, the FMF responds. Promotion is not the most important issue at this time. When the closure was agreed upon, the certification process opened an opportunity for teams to be promoted before that date by meeting the requirements
, it explains.
Since the 2020-21 campaign, the FMF has provided the circuit's 12 founding clubs with 1.158 billion pesos from the Improvement Fund, representing 80.5 percent of the total agreed upon, according to official figures. The objective of providing these resources is for organizations to be able to allocate 50 percent to player salaries and the other 50 percent to operating expenses, infrastructure investments, offices, and training camps, which we haven't seen in the dimensions we would have liked
, the executive points out. The subsidy will be fully disbursed at the end of the upcoming campaign, and with that, the six seasons will be completed; the next one is another circumstance
.
On June 25, the Liga de Expansión began the certification process for the circuit. Those interested in obtaining or renewing their certification must comply, among other things, with a complete membership file, business plan, and financial control regulations, as well as prove the use of funds in accordance with the agreed-upon guidelines. Like UdeG, the teams that appealed to the CAS decided not to participate in the exercise this year, considering it a simulation
to keep promotion and relegation suspended. "The federation is trying to subdue us, but we continue our fight
," Leones Negros boss Alberto Castellanos said on Monday.
The FMF is not unaware of these arguments. "It's an unfortunate opinion, because this process was approved with the same rules at the expansion assembly
," says the organization's general director of economic control. "When the subsidy program was agreed upon, it was thought that, over the years, it would become less important for the clubs because by then they would have strengthened other sources of income. That hasn't happened to the extent expected. Another point they point out is the current committee, made up of Liga MX and Expansión. Teams in different positions in the league table participate in it, not just at the top, so it's not rigged as they've claimed in their press conferences
."
According to the federations' count, the deadline agreed upon with the second circuit clubs for the reestablishment of promotion and relegation, after six seasons, ends at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, in the middle of the World Cup year. "It couldn't have started in 2019 because we didn't know what was going to happen with the pandemic
," he argues. Although the tournament has not yet defined the official calendar for the 2025 Apertura, its publication is expected before July 31. If the clubs that submitted their position to the CAS and visited the Chamber of Deputies on Monday submit their applications for certification, we will review their information, visit them locally to see the infrastructure and their business plans, and conduct an analysis to later present it to the committee, as dictated by FMF regulations
.
Ahead of the World Cup, FIFA is being asked to speak out against its anti-immigrant policy.
From the editorial staff
La Jornada Newspaper, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, p. a11
Nearly 100 civil society groups in the United States are calling on FIFA to use its mediating power in the White House to protect migrants from Donald Trump's policies during the 2026 World Cup. The world's largest soccer tournament will host some 2.6 million fans in the country, according to some estimates.
A report by the sports outlet The Athletic reports on a letter delivered to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, whose close ties to Trump make him a highly influential player in the White House, where he also has high-profile interests. In May, the international soccer leader accompanied the US president on an official tour of Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The document expresses deep concern
about the policies that have been applied against the migrant population and that could have a negative impact on the World Cup, which will be held in that country next year alongside Mexico and Canada.
The signatories of the letter ask Infantino to publicly intervene to reverse the policies and practices he has implemented regarding immigration, which affect both those intending to travel and communities already living in the United States.
The Trump administration has banned travel to the United States for citizens of 12 countries, including Iran, one of the World Cup qualifiers, as well as others with restrictions and whose fans would be barred from attending the tournament.
Viewers from other countries remain subject to invasive and cumbersome vetting procedures and the possibility of being denied travel authorization or entry due to their political or religious views
, the statement added.
▲ So far, Gianni Infantino, president of the world's governing body, has not addressed the issue, especially given that the 2026 World Cup is estimated to host approximately 2.6 million fans. Photo: AFP
The Athletic highlights that in the letter, they warn that FIFA has remained silent on an issue that concerns it due to the number of migrant fans in the United States, and that if it does not leverage Infantino's influence with Trump, the organization will serve as an instrument to clean up the image of an authoritarian regime.
“The FIFA brand will be used as a public relations tool to whitewash the reputation of an increasingly authoritarian government.
We demand that you use your influence to urge the U.S. government to guarantee the fundamental rights of the millions of foreign visitors and fans seeking to enter the United States to attend tournaments, and the constitutional rights of the many migrants who already live, work, and contribute significantly to the cities selected to host them
, The Athletic quotes.
The signatory groups include civil rights organizations that have been in existence for more than a century, as well as associations located in the cities that will host matches during the 2026 World Cup.
Increased immigration enforcement measures, abusive operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and broader border restrictions have also contributed to widespread fear and uncertainty. Several foreign governments have already issued travel alerts to their citizens, warning of the risks of being denied entry or detained and deported when traveling to the United States
, the letter sent to Infantino, which the publication obtained, adds.
▲ The German tennis player, who suffered a severe setback after falling in the first round, said his problems go beyond tennis and he is trying to find a way out of the hole
. Photo AFP
From the editorial staff
La Jornada Newspaper, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, p. a12
On a day when favorites Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic advanced to the second round at Wimbledon, German Alexander Zverev said that, for the first time, he may need psychological help, considering that he has been through many difficulties with the media
and, above all, in life, in general
.
It's funny, but sometimes I feel very alone out there, suffering mentally, trying to find my way out of the hole
, he told reporters. I don't know, in general, I feel alone in life. Very, very, very alone. And that's not nice at all
, he confessed after losing his debut to Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech.
The world number three suffered another monumental setback this season and asserted that the problem goes far beyond tennis and the poor results are a consequence of it.
I'm having mental problems, I've been feeling them since the Australian Open. I'm trying to find ways to get out of this rut, but I keep falling back. He played a fantastic match. In fact, I don't think he's ever played like that in his life
, Zverev said, referring to the great day of Rinderknech, a player without a reputation, but who performs very well on the London grass.
Last year, the Frenchman came close to defeating Carlos Alcaraz at Queen's, and just over a week ago he faced the Spaniard again on the same stage. Yesterday, he cheered after securing a victory that tasted like glory: 7-6, 6-7, 6-3, 6-7, 6-4, after four hours and 40 minutes. Rinderknech had only won one match in his entire career at Wimbledon.
The redemption
The All England Club courts are a chance for redemption. At least for Jannik Sinner, who yesterday began his participation in Wimbledon, where he hopes to regain authority in the Grand Slams .
The Italian, who lost a painful Roland Garros final a few weeks ago, completed a fabulous debut by defeating his compatriot Luca Nardi 6-4, 6-3, 6-0.
Far from having a debut on the edge like Carlos Alcaraz on Monday, the Italian presented tennis that was completely adapted to the grass, enough to resolve his first commitment at the Championships in one hour and 50 minutes.
For his part, the stainless Novak Djokovic, 24-time Grand Slam champion, appeared for the twentieth time at The Cathedral of Tennis and passed the initial test against the Frenchman Alexandre Muller, 6-1, 6-7, 6-2 and 6-2, in three hours and 20 minutes of play.
At 38 years old, the Serbian is looking to win another title on English grass, equaling the eight titles held by Roger Federer, the tournament's reigning champion with eight crowns and now retired.
Gauff is leaving
On the women's side, Coco Gauff became the third woman in the Open era to lose in the first round immediately after winning the French Open championship, eliminated 7-6, 6-1 by Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska.
Also killed were Lorenzo Musetti, American Jessica Pegula, and Chinese Zheng Qinwen, the reigning Olympic champion.
Taylor Fritz (5) was close to the farewell, but finally defeated the Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in five sets.
The current queen of Wimbledon, the Czech Barbora Krejcikova (16), made it through the first round by defeating the Filipino Alexandra Eala 3-6, 6-2 and 6-1.
(With information from AP and AFP)
University of Pennsylvania defeated; will comply with law against transgender athletes
Ap
La Jornada Newspaper, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, p. a12
Washington. The University of Pennsylvania has agreed to ban transgender women from participating in its women's athletic teams to settle a federal civil rights case that found the school violated the rights of female athletes.
The U.S. Department of Education announced the voluntary settlement yesterday. The case centered on Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer who last competed at the Ivy League Universiade in Philadelphia in 2022, when she became the first openly transgender athlete to win a Division I title.
This is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to eliminate transgender athletes from women's sports.
Under the agreement, Pennsylvania agreed to restore all individual swimming records and titles in the division to the female athletes who lost to Thomas. It will also send a personalized letter of apology to each of those athletes.
It was not immediately clear whether Thomas would be stripped of her awards and honors.
The university must also announce that it will not allow men to compete in women's athletic programs
and must adopt biologically based
definitions of male and female, the department said.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon hailed the announcement as a victory for women and girls.
The Department commends Pennsylvania for righting past wrongs against women and girls, and we will continue to fight tirelessly to restore the proper application of Title IX and enforce it to the full extent of the law
, McMahon said in a statement.
The education authority opened its investigation in February and concluded in April that the school violated Title IX, a 1972 law that prohibits sex discrimination in education.
Visas denied to the Cuban women's volleyball team
Ap
La Jornada Newspaper, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, p. a12
Havana. The Cuban women's volleyball team was denied the opportunity to play in a tournament in Puerto Rico following new visa restrictions imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The Cuban Federation of Paralympics reported last week that the team, made up of 12 athletes, a referee, and several coaches, had their visa application denied and will not be able to attend the competition.
The disappointment is huge because I train for this every day and dedicate most of my time to it
, said national team member Laura Suárez.
Cuba was scheduled to participate in the NORCECA Women's Final Four in Manatí, Puerto Rico. The tournament, which includes the host country, Mexico, and Costa Rica, awards qualification points for the Volleyball Nations League.
Arriving at the embassy and being denied a visa affects us greatly because that competition gives us points to improve our ranking
, said Dayana Martínez, another player.
National team coach Wilfredo Robinson said the decision means his team will likely be eliminated from the Nations League.
The United States added Cuba to a list of 12 countries with restrictions on entry to their territories.
At closing
With a home run by Robinson Canó, Diablos beat Olmecas
▲ Visiting the Estadio Centenario 27 de Febrero in Tabasco, the Diablos Rojos del México defeated Olmecas 5-4. Former major leaguer Robinson Canó sealed the game in the seventh inning with a two-run home run. Despite the Tabasco team's comeback, the Red Devils reaffirmed their lead in the Southern Zone of the Mexican Baseball League. Photo: LMB
La Jornada Newspaper, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, p. a30
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