FIFA remove team from Club World Cup in shock move and fans think they've worked out who will replace them
A club has been kicked out of the FIFA Club World Cup just under three months before the tournament, according to FIFA.
The new look tournament is set to get underway in the USA on June 14 with 32 teams from around the world competing for the prize.
The likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, PSG, Inter Milan and Chelsea will take part in the month-long event, but another club has already been removed from this summer’s tournament.
On Friday, FIFA confirmed that Mexican side Club Leon had “failed to meet the criteria on multi-club ownership” and will be “removed” from the competition with a replacement set to be announced in due course.
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"Following disciplinary proceedings opened against CF Pachuca and Club León, the chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee decided to refer the case directly to the FIFA Appeal Committee in accordance with article 56 paragraph 3 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code," read a statement released by FIFA.
"After having evaluated all evidence on file, the chairman of the FIFA Appeal Committee has decided that CF Pachuca and Club León failed to meet the criteria on multi-club ownership defined under article 10 paragraph 1 of the Regulations for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™.
"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."
Exactly which club will replace Club Leon is still unclear but fans on social media have had their say.
One said: "Here comes Al Nassr just to get Ronaldo there and make more money."
Another added: "Guess which Saudi-owned club gets the spot."
While a third commented: "LA Galaxy should get the spot, they literally won the MLS Cup."
Club Leon were supposed to be part of Group D alongside Premier League outfit Chelsea, Brazil-based side Flamengo and Tunisian club Espérance Sportive de Tunis.
FIFA Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, FC Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami
Group B: Paris St-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica
Group D: Flamengo, Esperance Sportive de Tunisie, Chelsea
Group E: River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds, Monterrey, Inter Milan
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg
Topics: FIFA Club World Cup, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, PSG
Luke Davies