Club Leon will be removed from the Club World Cup in the United States later this year as it and another Mexican club in the tournament, CF Pachuca, failed to meet criteria on multi-club ownership, world soccer’s governing body said on Friday.
Both Leon and Pachuca are owned by Grupo Pachuca. Leon had qualified after winning the Concacaf Champions Cup in 2023 while Pachuca won the competition last year.
However, disciplinary proceedings were opened against both clubs and the chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee referred the case to the FIFA Appeal Committee.
Why was Mexican team Club Leon removed from tournament?
“After having evaluated all evidence on file, the chairman of the FIFA Appeal Committee has decided that CF Pachuca and Club Leon failed to meet the criteria on multi-club ownership,” FIFA said in a statement.
“…FIFA has determined that Club Leon will be removed from the competition, with the club to be admitted as a replacement to be announced in due course.”
Which group was Club Leon drawn into?
Leon was drawn in Group D alongside Premier League side Chelsea, Brazil’s Flamengo and Tunisian side Esperance.
Is Pachuca also removed from FIFA Club World Cup?
No, Pachuca’s spot at the FIFA Club World Cup, set to be played between June 14 and July 13, was unaffected.
How did Club Leon react?
Leon said it disagreed with FIFA’s decision and would appeal in the sport’s highest courts if it was denied a place at the Club World Cup.
“In the last few months we have presented all the evidence and documents confirming that Club Leon manages itself in an autonomous manner in all economic, administrative and sporting aspects,” it said.
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com