Liga MX news, scandals dim ‘Super Clásico’ spotlight
Authorities accuse FMF, Liga MX of collusion
On Thursday, the Mexican soccer world was stunned with the news that federal antitrust authorities had levied 177 million pesos in fines to 17 Liga MX teams and the Mexican Soccer Federation after finding them guilty of monopolistic practices.
The Cofece determined that the league and club officials had engaged in collusion, illegally restricting player movement and violating their labor rights while also conspiring to cap female players’ salaries.
Federation president Yon de Luisa and team executives declined to comment, in essence acknowledging the charges or perhaps trying to minimize the damage. One wonders whether Liga MX officials knew the penalties were coming, a possibility that could go a long way in explaining the willingness to agree to the new (and lucrative) Leagues Cup arrangement.
At the heart of the collusion accusations was the so-called “Gentleman’s Agreement” that Liga MX teams used to control player movement for roughly two decades.
The core of this pact allowed teams to maintain rights over a player even after contracts expired. A “free agent” was unable to sign with the team of his choice as his former team was still able to negotiate any transfers. And if a player was in the dog house for whatever reason, he might remain unsigned. Some careers ended were ended in this manner. Players who tried to move abroad after a contract expired were also targets of the “Gentleman’s Agreement” (see the Gerardo Torrado case).
In all, 16 of the 18 current Liga MX teams were fined (all except relative newcomers FC Juárez and Atlético de San Luis) as well as Atlante – now in Liga de Expansión MX. In addition, eight as-yet unidentified individuals were cited in the accusation.
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The league and all those charged do have the right to appeal, but initial reports suggest that the penalties will be accepted.