Just before the Club World Cup in the United States, scheduled to begin on June 14 with a match between Inter Miami and Al Ahly FC in Miami, a change has occurred. Club Leon has been disqualified from participating in the tournament because of regulations regarding multi-club ownership. Pachuca Group owns both Leon and Pachuca. Although there were plans to sell Leon to resolve this conflict, the sale was not completed in time to satisfy FIFA’s requirements.
According to a FIFA statement, Club Leon will be withdrawn from the competition. FIFA will announce a replacement club at a later date.
Leon had been preparing for the tournament and recently added James Rodriguez to their team. However, as it stands, they will not be able to compete. Alajuelense from Costa Rica had previously threatened FIFA with legal action if they were not chosen for the Club World Cup instead of one of the Mexican teams due to the multi-club ownership issue. FIFA President Gianni Infantino faces a tight deadline to find a replacement team.
The United States has already used their host nation spot to include Inter Miami in the tournament. Criteria for replacing Leon will need to be established, as numerous clubs, including the Concacaf Champions Cup runners-up, the Columbus Crew, may feel they deserve to take Leon’s place. Pachuca is still expected to participate in the tournament, which is planned to take place from June 14 to July 13.
