March 11 – Mexico does what Mexico wants, including the installation of an unelected president to represent the country’s federation on all international boards, meetings and at FIFA and Concacaf events.
It is a remarkable decision taken by the federation’s executive committee grandees with little more than a year to go before the country is set to co-host the 2026 World Cup with Canada and the USA.
The Mexican Federation installation of Mikel Arriola (pictured) as de facto president was announced with somewhat excessive justification on the federation’s social media feed.
In a post on X, the Mexican Federation (FMX) said: “According to the FMF bylaws, the President has the power to represent the Federation in all kinds of congresses, assemblies, meetings, tournaments and competitions convened by the national and international sports organizations of which it is a Member.”
The post continued: “Therefore, and in accordance with the powers conferred by the bylaws, from this date Mikel Arriola will be the one who will exercise the international representation of our Association and for these purposes he will hold the position of President of the FMF, which is the position recognized by FIFA and Concacaf.”
Ivar Sisniega held the position of executive president of the FMF and until December 2024 Juan Carlos Rodríguez held the position of Commissioner and effectively performing the functions of a president, before resigning. Elected in May 2023, his tenure had been chaotic with three national team managers appointed in 18 months – Diego Cocca, Jaime Lozano and Javier ‘Vasco’ Aguirre. His tenure also saw the collapse of a $1.25 billion investment into LigaMX from Apollo Global Management and NFL owners.
The FMF’s reaction has now been to instal one of their own inner-circle to represent Mexico at all sanctioned FIFA and Concacaf events, even though he is not an elected president.
Arriola took over as Liga MX and Liga de Expansion president in 2021. It is unclear if he will continue in those rules.
Mexico have won few friends in international circles with insiders saying they only ever come to the international forums with problems rather than solutions. Now they are manipulating the rule book altogether, though they say LigaMX will rubber stamp Arriola’s presidency at a meeting in May.
The lack of an established and well-recognised president at international level could prove difficult for Mexico whose fans have pushed the regional and world governing bodies to the limit with their relentless ‘puto’ chant. The next test will likely be the Nations League on November 20 when Mexico face a much-improved Canada under Jesse Marsch’s team management in the semi-final. It could also be a major test of Arriola’s stewardship.
The FMF has been reluctant to chastise their own fans or unequivocally declare themselves against the chant that has been so deeply offensive to many. Any reoccurrence at the Nations League finals could result in the country being banned from international competition. Governing body patience is running out with both the FMF and Mexico’s fans on this issue.
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