FIFA Removes Mexico's Club Leon From 2025 Club World Cup
The 32-team competition is scheduled to take place in the United States between June 14 and July 13.
FIFA has announced that Mexican team Club Leon has been removed from the 2025 Club World Cup after failing to meet tournament regulations on multi-club ownership. The 32-team competition is scheduled to take place in the United States between June 14 and July 13.
Leon and another Mexican club, Pachuca, both qualified for the Club World Cup. However, both clubs have the same owner, Grupo Pachuca. Tournament regulations state that no team participating in the competition may directly or indirectly hold or deal in the securities or shares of any other club participating in the competition, reported Independent. The eligibility of both clubs to compete was also questioned by a Costa Rican club.
"In line with article 10 paragraph 4 of the Regulations for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, FIFA has determined that Club León will be removed from the competition, with the club to be admitted as a replacement to be announced in due course," said the football governing body in a statement released on Friday. At the same time, Leon reportedly expressed their disagreement with FIFA's decision and said they would appeal to the sport's highest courts if their participation was blocked.