Mexico’s Membership Leon will get ejected from the upcoming FIFA Membership World Cup; here is why

Mexico’s Membership Leon have expressed “anger and indignation” after they have been faraway from the FIFA Membership World Cup that will likely be happening in america later this yr. Leon have been ejected from the match after being accused of violating guidelines on multi-ownership, although that has not stopped them from slamming the choice as one which “goes in opposition to the spirit of honest competitors”, and setting their sights on submitting an enchantment.

A FIFA appeals committee, responding to a grievance by Costa Rican membership Alajuelense, dominated that Leon and one other membership from Mexico, Pachuca, failed to fulfill match rules on multi-club possession. Each side are owned by Grupo Pachuca.

Nevertheless it was Leon, the winners of the 2023 regional CONCACAF Champions Cup, who have been thrown out of the match whereas Pachuca, CONCACAF champions in 2024, have been allowed to stay.

“Membership Leon will likely be faraway from the competitors, with the membership to be admitted as a alternative to be introduced in the end,” FIFA mentioned in a press release.

The choice is a expensive one for Leon, who together with different golf equipment from the CONCACAF area have been as a consequence of obtain a $9 million price from FIFA for participation within the group stage, a supply informed AFP.

Groups which advance from the group stage are eligible for additional prize cash on high of that participation price.

From the CONCACAF area, USA groups Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami are additionally taking a part of the June-July match together with one other Mexican membership Monterrey.

Article 10.1 of the match rules states that no taking part membership can straight or not directly maintain or deal within the securities or shares of another membership within the competitors.

“We’re an impartial, autonomous and sovereign staff. Let there be little question,” Leon protested on social media, including that they “received the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League title with equity and professionalism.”

The membership condemned “a measure that’s merciless, unfair, which we don’t endorse and we have no idea who it advantages, however who it harms: our followers.”

“Membership Leon will enchantment this choice and we’ll go to the last word lengths to defend the place we attained within the Membership World Cup.”

INACEPTABLE pic.twitter.com/tV9Y4Bf8ZF

— Membership León (@clubleonfc) March 21, 2025

Leon had been drawn to face English giants Chelsea on June 16 in Atlanta earlier than taking part in Brazil’s Flamengo and Esperance of Tunisia.

The 32-team occasion, within the first version of it’s expanded format, takes place from June 14 to July 13 in america.

Alajuelense was knocked out within the spherical of 16 within the CONCACAF Champions League by golf equipment from america the final two seasons.

With AFP inputs