Football
Tom Marshall, Mexico correspondent 6y

Mexico federation president Decio de Maria to step down after World Cup

Mexico's football federation president Decio de Maria has resigned and will leave his post after the World Cup, with Yon de Luisa set to take his place, the FMF announced on Friday.

De Maria had been in charge of the Mexican federation since August 2015 after moving over from the Liga MX presidency.

De Luisa has worked as vice president for special and sporting events for media giant Televisa Deportes and the 46-year-old was also president of the organizing committee for the 2011 Under-17 World Cup, as well as fulfilling different director roles at Liga MX Club America.

De Luisa is currently Mexico's bid director for the 2026 World Cup, a role he will continue in after assuming the FMF presidency.

In the same statement, the FMF said the owners have approved rule changes regarding clubs' eligibility to participate in Liga MX.

Additionally, there will be no relegation from Mexico's top division starting from the 2018-19 season, with Liga MX expanding from 18 to 20 teams.

Clubs looking to be promoted from the Ascenso MX to Liga MX will have to "fulfill participation requirements" included in Liga MX rules, which currently state first-division teams have to have a stadium with a minimum capacity of 20,000.

The FMF also confirmed the "possibility" of a Liga MX club finishing in last place in the relegation table -- worked out on a points-per-game average over the past three years -- paying an economic sanction to remain in the league, starting from the 2018-19 season.

An analysis will also be carried out to find out the "viability" of clubs that want to continue in Liga MX.

The statement indicated that the detailed rules on promotion and relegation will be made public when they are drawn up in full.

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