▲ Saints and Atlas will battle it out on the final day to avoid a millionaire-dollar penalty.
picture @clubsantos
ArchySports Staff
Updated April 19, 2025
In a dramatic turn of events in Liga MX, the specter of financial penalties looms large over several teams, raising serious questions about the league’s multi-ownership model. with the relegation system suspended,teams at the bottom of the quotient table face hefty fines,and this year,Atlas,Puebla,and Mazatlan find themselves in the crosshairs,all linked to Grupo Salinas and Grupo Orlegi.
Mazatlan, currently under the guidance of manager Víctor Vucetich, appears destined to finish last, incurring a staggering 80 million peso fine. This would mark their second consecutive tournament facing such a penalty, having already paid 33 million pesos last year. It’s a situation akin to an NFL team consistently missing the playoffs and facing salary cap penalties – a recipe for long-term struggles.
Puebla, coached by Spaniard Pablo Guede, finds itself in unfamiliar territory, facing a potential 47 million peso fine. Their predicament highlights the precarious nature of Liga MX, where even established teams can quickly fall into financial jeopardy. Think of it as a major league baseball team suddenly facing luxury tax penalties after a string of losing seasons.
Atlas, under the leadership of coach Gonzalo Pineda, clings to a glimmer of hope. Currently 16th in the quotient standings, they have a chance to avoid the financial hit.
We know what’s at stake,
a team spokesperson said.
To escape the 33 million peso penalty, they must defeat Chivas in the intense Tapatío derby and hope that Santos, managed by Fernando Ortiz, loses to Tijuana. If both scenarios unfold, Atlas and Santos would be tied in quotient, with goal difference determining who pays the fine.
The fact that teams facing these penalties are linked to multi-ownership groups raises eyebrows. Mazatlan and Puebla both belong to Ricardo Salinas Pliego, president of Grupo Salinas and TV Azteca. Atlas, while majority-owned (70%) by Grupo Orlegi, led by Alejandro Irarragori, still has 30% ownership under Ricardo Salinas Pliego. Even Santos, directly competing with Atlas to avoid the fine, is part of the Orlegi consortium.
This isn’t the frist time multi-ownership has been a point of contention. In 2023, Mazatlan (Grupo Salinas), Tijuana, and Queretaro (Grupo Caliente) were all sanctioned.
Multi-ownership, while technically prohibited by FIFA within the same tournament, has been a recurring theme in Mexican football.
FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players
Grupo Televisa, previously led by Emilio Azcárraga Jean, pioneered this practice, owning both America and Necaxa for an extended period.
currently,four major groups are involved in multi-ownership within Liga MX: Grupo Salinas,Grupo Orlegi,Grupo Caliente (Hank Rhon family,owners of the Caliente betting house,as well as Tijuana,Queretaro,and Dorados),and Grupo Pachuca (Jesús Martínez,controlling Pachuca and León). This concentration of ownership raises concerns about competitive balance and potential conflicts of interest, similar to debates surrounding single entities owning multiple teams in other sports leagues.
The issue of multi-ownership recently gained international attention when FIFA excluded León from the Club World Cup due to their connection with Pachuca, who also qualified. this decision underscores the growing scrutiny of multi-ownership models in global soccer and coudl potentially lead to further investigations and reforms within Liga MX.
Further investigation is warranted into the potential impact of multi-ownership on player transfers,competitive balance,and overall league integrity. Are certain teams within these groups favored over others? Does it create an uneven playing field? These are critical questions that need to be addressed to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of Liga MX.
