FIFA has banned one of the clubs competing in the Club World Cup, which will be held this summer in the United States.
The new Club World Cup hasn’t even begun, and controversy is already brewing on the pitch. On Friday, the International Football Federation (FIFA), which initiated a competition that now includes 32 participants (including PSG), announced the outright exclusion of one of the teams involved.
Winner of the North American Champions League in 2023, Club Leon is no longer welcome in the United States. The reason for this ban? Timeshare, as the Mexican club belongs to the same group as CF Pachuca – Grupo Pachuca. This violation of the rules of fair play, according to FIFA.
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“The chairman of the Appeals Committee has examined all the evidence submitted and determined that the two clubs in question do not meet the criteria for multi-ownership of clubs, as set out in Article 10, paragraph 1 of the Regulations of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025,” reads a brief statement from the supreme football body. “Pursuant to Article 10, paragraph 4 of said regulations, FIFA has decided that Club Leon will not be admitted to the competition.”
The club of Colombian star James Rodriguez is obviously contesting this verdict. The Mexican officials concerned believe they have provided FIFA with all the evidence attesting to its independence in economic, administrative, and sporting terms. Club Leon is thus threatening legal action against FIFA. FIFA, for its part, states that “the replacement club will be announced shortly.”
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