FIFA are ‘exploring’ the idea of a one-off play-off game to decide who will replace Club Leon at the 2025 Club World Cup.
It was announced that the Mexican club were removed from this summer’s tournament earlier this month with FIFA explaining how they had failed to meet the criteria on "multi-club ownership” and will be “removed” from the competition.
"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 earlier in March.
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"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."
31 teams including the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid have already secured their places at the tournament, which will take place in the US between June 14 and July 13.
But who will replace Club Leon?
Well, according to journalist Ben Jacobs FIFA are “exploring” a one-off game between Club America and Los Angeles FC to determine who will take the final spot, with the winner set to enter Chelsea’s group.
James Rodriguez slams FIFA
The aforementioned teams will, no doubt, be keen to secure the opportunity to compete in the revamped competition but not everyone is so pleased.
Club Leon star and former Everton, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez has slammed FIFA’s decision to kick his team out of the tournament.
“I think it's a grave injustice,” Rodriguez told reporters at a press conference on Saturday. “We all believe that. We won on the pitch.
“The club and the players are hurt by this. Thinking about this, if we're out, it's not fair. The team that would replace us would be stained, football would be stained.
“So many fans have planned to travel to the tournament, how do you tell them that they can't go? I have a lot of questions about all this. It's odd. I think FIFA has to get their things together. Football is stained by this.”
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, (Club Leon originally in group before being removed)
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, Football, James Rodriguez
Luke Davies