COVID-19 recovery announcement: Ascenso and Descenso suspended for five years

In a video conference, the executive announced that the Division Assembly made several decisions, including the suspension of promotion and relegation for five years.

Bonilla explained that the Ascenso division has experienced a decline in revenue in recent seasons, both in television rights and sponsorships, ticket sales, and matchday income.

"Stadium attendance has dropped to an average of 8,000 people per match, at best," explained the executive, who acknowledged that the country's financial crisis has exacerbated the division's problems.

"Several current projects are on the verge of bankruptcy, with the risk of disappearing due to lack of fresh resources and the need to cover an annual financial deficit of more than 25 million pesos per club on average," he added.

According to Bonilla, the elimination of promotion and relegation leads to the termination of the 2019-2020 season without a champion, after which the so-called development league will be created, a division format that serves as a breeding ground for players.

"In order to support the growth of the clubs in Ascenso Mx and those that continue to participate in the new division, and to consolidate their growth, 240 million pesos per year (about 10 million dollars) will be allocated for each of the following five seasons, that is, 20 million pesos per year per club," he explained.

Bonilla reiterated that players from Liga Mx teams, the top division championship, are working from home in order to maintain their fitness levels until the Clausura tournament can resume, whenever the COVID-19 crisis allows it.

"We are working on all possible scenarios for scheduling, but for now we must wait and follow the instructions of the Ministry of Health. We are monitoring daily updates and reports to design action plans that allow the return of our sport," he concluded.