Club Leon have been removed from FIFA’s Club World Cup tournament later this year, leaving Chelsea down an opponent in the competition after the club’s owners breached rules
FIFA have removed Mexican side Club Leon from the men’s Club World Cup tournament which will be held this summer in the United States. The decision was made due to the club’s shared ownership with fellow Liga MX and CWC side Pachuca.
Club Leon had been scheduled to face Chelsea in the competition later this year but the Blues now await a new opponent to be announced. Enzo Maresca’s side are also tasked with taking on ES Tunis and Flamengo, with FIFA confirming an announcement over a replacement for Leon will be made ‘in due course’.
Pachuca retain their place in the tournament as winners of the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup. They face Real Madrid, Al Hilal and Red Bull Salzburg.
Leon and Pachuca responded to Friday’s decision, rejecting FIFA’s ruling. “We will appeal until its last instance and in the highest sports court,” Pachuca said.
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The chairman of the FIFA Appeal Committee decided that sides failed to meet the criteria on multi-club ownership, both are owned by Grupo Pachuca. Article 10 paragraph 1 of the Regulations for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, prevent teams who have the same ownership from being in the competition together.
10.1 C states: “No individual or legal entity may have control or influence over more than one club participating in the Competition.” That for example, includes: holding a majority of the shareholders’ voting rights; being a shareholder and alone controlling a majority of the shareholders’ voting rights; or being able to exercise by any means a decisive influence in the decision-making of the club.
Following the Club World Cup draw in December, Grupo Pachuca owner Jesus Martinez said that there were plans to give up their majority stake in Leon by 2027. “However, I think we’re going to maintain some kind of sports control,” he said.
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In addition to Chelsea, Manchester City are the only British club to enter the competition following their respective Champions League wins. They could be in line for a bumper £70million payout.
Conversations are underway over how the Club World Cup’s reported $2billion (£1.55billion) budget will be distributed. At least half of that figure will be spread across the 32 clubs involved.
A figure of $575m is set to be alotted for participation. An even split is not expected however, for fear of disrupting domestic and continental competitions around the world. Meanwhile $465m is expected to be doled out based on sporting performance.
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