After being expelled from the 2025 Club World Cup, James Rodriguez’s Club Leon is gearing up to challenge FIFA, utilizing their last resort to secure a spot in the prestigious tournament.
The decision by FIFA to expel Club Leon has left James Rodriguez and the Mexican club in shock, especially with just months remaining before the competition kicks off. As the legal battle unfolds, the Liga MX side is preparing to fight FIFA’s ruling to maintain their place in the tournament.
Despite clinching their spot by winning the 2023 CONCACAF Champions Cup, FIFA’s drastic decision to exclude the team stems from alleged violations of the multi-ownership rule. The organization claims that both CF Pachuca and Club Leon, which are owned by Grupo Pachuca, did not provide sufficient evidence to disprove their connection. In response, Club Leon is poised to take legal action as their last resort to regain their position.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Club Leon has appealed FIFA’s decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The club argues that Leon and its sister club, Pachuca, abide by FIFA’s multi-club ownership rules and have “documents that transparently demonstrate the management of our clubs.”
This situation mirrors that of Costa Rican side Deportivo Alajuelense, which filed a complaint with FIFA in November. After receiving no response from FIFA or the clubs involved, Alajuelense escalated the issue to CAS.
The expulsion decision from FIFA has prompted immediate reactions from players including Andrrs Guardado and star James Rodriguez. The Colombian voiced his frustration over the situation, especially for fans: “It’s not fair to anyone—to the entire club that has achieved great things. And especially to all the people who’ve spent money; fans who went into debt just to be able to go,” he expressed during a press conference.
FIFA Already Planning Club World Cup Without Club Leon
As Club Leon’s appeal to CAS unfolds, FIFA is moving forward with plans for the tournament without the Mexican side. The governing body anticipates that the CAS ruling will be issued by April 23, after which a playoff match may be held to fill the vacant spot.
The proposed match will see Club America and Los Angeles FC compete for the place that Club Leon held. LAFC qualifies as the runner-up of the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League, while Club America is included due to its top ranking in its confederation.
Jacobs reports that Club Leon is pushing for an expedited ruling, yet the proposed hearing date is currently slated for early May. With the FIFA Club World Cup set to commence on June 15, time is running out for a final decision to be reached.
