Club Leon strengthened its roster with key signings, including James Rodriguez, ahead of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. This move sparked excitement among Mexican fans, who believed his presence could boost the team’s chances against top international clubs. However, FIFA dealt a major blow to those hopes with a drastic decision regarding James‘ team. The ruling crushed expectations and left fans disappointed.
After winning the 2023 Concacaf Champions Cup, Club Leon secured a spot in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. However, their participation did not meet FIFA’s established rules. In 2024, Costa Rican club Liga Deportiva Alajuelense filed a complaint regarding the situation.
Following this, on the morning of Friday, March 21, Club Pachuca announced that either Club Leon or Club Pachuca would be excluded from the competition. Shortly after, FIFA published the following statement on its website: “After evaluating all the evidence in the file, the chairman of the FIFA appeal committee has decided that both CF Pachuca and Club Leon are in breach of the criteria regarding the ownership of several clubs. FIFA have decided not to admit Club Leon to the competition.”
Why did FIFA expel Club Leon from the FIFA Club World Cup?
FIFA decided to exclude Club Leon from the FIFA Club World Cup because it shares ownership with Club de Futbol Pachuca under Grupo Pachuca. According to Article 10, Paragraph 1 of the competition regulations, two teams controlled by the same ownership group cannot participate in the tournament.
James Rodriguez of Leon argues during the 11th round match between Santos Laguna and Leon as part of the Torneo Clausura 2025 Liga MX at Corona Stadium on March 9, 2025 in Torreon, Mexico.
Grupo Pachuca claimed that both clubs operate independently. However, FIFA did not take this into account and ultimately ruled to exclude James Rodriguez’s Club Leon from the competition. This decision is a major setback for the Colombian star, who joined Club Leon with hopes of showcasing his talent on the global stage.
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What will Club Leon do after the drastic decision taken by FIFA?
Although Club Leon did not release an official statement following FIFA’s decision to exclude them from the competition, the club had addressed the situation beforehand. In a previous statement, Club Leon announced that it would take action regarding the matter: “In the event that Club Leon are prevented from participating in the 2025 Club World Cup with the same rights as it won a place on the field, we will go to the ultimate consequences in the highest sports courts.”
With this press release, we can say that Club Leon will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). However, this does not guarantee the club’s place in the tournament. The case must still go through a thorough review and investigation.
