Mexican football federation (FMF) president Decio de Maria has admitted that Liga MX clubs may have violated FIFA's transfer rules as they stand, but is seeking clarity from the governing body due to the complex situation surrounding dual Mexico-U.S. nationals.
"FIFA knows about our reality and we are in a process of [reaching an] understanding," De Maria told ESPN's Comex Masters on Monday, implying the FMF has been in contact with FIFA about the situation.
"I repeat, the rule is made generally and here we are talking about something specific that isn't comparable with clubs over there [in Europe]."
De Maria was responding to questions brought to the fore by an ESPN investigation, which highlighted there may have been widespread breaches by Liga MX clubs of Article 19 of FIFA's Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, which is designed to stop minors from leaving their native countries for clubs in other countries before they turn 18.
Minors born in the U.S. -- with Mexican citizenship, or access to it from parents or grandparents -- are scouted north of the border and head south to join Liga MX clubs' academies, but ESPN learned the Mexican federation had started to advise clubs against registering players, for fear of sanctions like those imposed on Barcelona, who infringed Article 19 in 2014 and couldn't sign new players for a year.
De Maria accepted that, in theory, the practice "appears a violation," but considers the flow of Mexican-American youth south and the sheer quantity of Mexican citizens in the United States a special case. He is hoping FIFA interprets it the same way.
"At first look it appears a violation, but you have to understand the context," said De Maria, stressing that the fact players have dual nationality will be important in any final judgment from FIFA.
"All the legal side is being cleared up with FIFA as part of this subject," he added.
Since ESPN broke the story last Thursday, many figures in the Mexican game have opined on the topic.
Pachuca sporting director Marco Garces pointed out that the issue of undocumented immigrants in the United States complicates the panorama further. He highlighted that his club looks after its young players and even has its own university.
"They are regulations imported from Europe that still aren't clear in this part [of the world]," he said. "[They are] too strict and the people judging don't know the context and impact these decisions have."
ESPN spoke to one minor from the United States who is currently in Guadalajara with Chivas, but is not registered to play domestically in any official league and only features when the team plays internationally.
Asked if he wasn't registered with the Liga MX because of fear of a potential violation of Article 19, the player replied: "Yes, that's exactly why because if Chivas were to register me and my other two teammates from the U.S., I believe FIFA would fine Chivas or punish them in some way, so they don't want to risk it."
The player, whose parents are both Mexican, added that he will continue to train in Guadalajara and will either wait for a change in the rules from FIFA, or for his 18th birthday in order to be registered.
The player came down to Mexico after being spotted by Chivas scouts at an Alianza de Futbol showcase event. The organization, which promotes itself as a springboard for Hispanic soccer players in the United States to get spotted, has also been adamant that the issue must be cleared up.
"It is a case in which the U.S. and Mexican federations should talk to FIFA and come to an agreement," director of Alianza de Futbol Joaquin Escoto told ESPN. "UEFA took its case and got something resolved. Hopefully here there is a resolution for the good of soccer in the United States and Mexico."
In the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA), players can move between countries from 16 years old, as long as clubs adhere to strict conditions regarding their well-being.
FIFA hasn't yet commented on whether it is investigating the issue.