Antonio Lozano Ousted as Athletics Leader Amidst Legal Turmoil

El Portal, México - On July 21, 2025, the International Athletics Federation (World Athletics) made a significant change in its directory, removing Antonio Lozano Pineda’s name from the leadership position of the Mexican Athletics Associations Federation (FMAA). This decision is emblematic of the ongoing turmoil surrounding the governance of athletics in Mexico. The move further cements the FMAA’s diminishing recognition, a situation previously highlighted back in March.

Israel Benítez Morteo, the legal representative of the FMAA, has stressed that this adjustment reflects the current legal situation in Mexico, following a tumultuous leadership era for Lozano that spanned from 2008 to 2023. Notably, since 2024, he has been invalidated as a leader. The presidency for Mexico is still marked as pending in the World Athletics directory, signaling continuing uncertainty and the need for organizational restructuring.

Leadership Crisis and Legal Battles

The path to this decision has not been smooth. Lozano’s tenure has been marred by controversies, including legal challenges from various state associations regarding his reelections since 2013. These challenges have stemmed from irregularities in statutory changes and a lack of financial transparency.

In a dramatic turn of events, a federal court found Lozano guilty of misappropriation of public funds amounting to 12 million pesos, and the resolution is currently in the compliance phase. Despite this, Lozano has allegedly sought to retain power illegally, a claim actively countered by Benítez Morteo, who asserts that he is the legitimate president of the FMAA with backing from 32 associations across the country.

Benítez Morteo has also drawn attention to the troubling practices allegedly initiated by Lozano, including financial demands on athletes for participation in events. Such actions, he argues, stand contrary to the rules of fair play and legality.

Aiming for Stability

Looking ahead, World Athletics plans to appoint a team of supervisors in the coming weeks to aid in the internal reorganization of the FMAA. This step aims to restore stability in Mexican athletics and ensure that athletes can rely on an organized calendar for 2025. Benítez Morteo has emphasized the need for certainty in these uncertain times, asserting that the removal of Lozano provides an opportunity to formalize this transition.

However, this incident brings to light a larger issue of governance in global sports federations, as discussed extensively in the realms of legal and sports governance. As many federations, including FIFA and the IOC, come under scrutiny for management failures, the situation in Mexican athletics is a stark reminder of the challenges organizations face regarding accountability and transparency. A balance between autonomy and oversight remains a central challenge across sports, highlighting systemic issues that demand reform to safeguard integrity.

As the FMAA continues to distance itself from a troubled past and seeks to establish a framework for reliable governance, the athletic community is urged to remain vigilant. Verification of international classification events should come exclusively through channels sanctioned by World Athletics, ensuring that athletes are supported by legitimate governance.