Faced with mounting criticism from supporters over controversial refereeing decisions, the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol (FMF) has established four mandatory actions to strengthen officiating in the Liga MX, Telemundo reported. The measures, announced in coordination with the league, aim to improve transparency and consistency ahead of the Apertura 2026 Liguilla.
Four New Actions Ordered by Mikel Arriola
Mexican football commissioner Mikel Arriola instructed both the FMF and the Comisión de Árbitros to overhaul current officiating protocols, according to N+ coverage of the announcement. The four designated pillars target international standards, training consistency, reporting procedures, and institutional communication.
First, the governing bodies will scale up incentives for international certification and domestic league performance, thereby widening the pool of eligible referees for local matches. Second, training programs will focus on sharpening and aligning refereeing criteria to ensure greater predictability across every fixture. Third, match officials must now generate standardized reports for all disciplinary incidents and on-field infractions.
Creation of a Technical Arbitration Committee
The most drastic structural change in the federation’s package is the establishment of a new Technical Arbitration Committee. El nuevo Comité Técnico de Arbitraje incorporará a representantes de los clubes, la Comisión de Árbitros y asesores independientes para fortalecer la comunicación institucional y mejorar el arbitraje mexicano.
Unlike previous administrative tweaks, this committee introduces direct club participation into referee oversight. Both the FMF and the Comisión de Árbitros are required to submit permanent progress reports to commissioner Mikel Arriola regarding the implementation of all four axes.
Recent Controversies Prior to the Apertura 2026 Liguilla
The reform arrives amid intense scrutiny over refereeing performances during the regular season. N+ documented multiple flashpoints in recent weeks, including an unpenalized foul during the América versus Monterrey clash in Week 11, and the early red card issued to Pumas defender Nathan Silva in the second minute against Santos during Week 13.
Analyst commentary characterized the expulsion of Silva as excessively harsh, arguing that a penalty alone would have sufficed. With the Apertura 2026 Liguilla approaching, clubs expressed mounting concern over disparate officiating criteria applied to identical match situations.
Sanctions and Restrictions on Active Referees
The announcement of the technical committee follows internal disciplinary actions within the refereeing guild. Jornada noted that the Comisión de Árbitros recently circulated a directive prohibiting active referees from participating in unsanctioned local tournaments—colloquially known as partidos de la talacha—without prior federation approval.
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