Space that was once from Leon, Mexico, should be decided between America, the same country and the Los Angeles FC of the United States
The struggle of the court to keep its place in the Super Club Super World -appealed at the Arbitral Court of Sport -scheduled for June, seems lost or difficult to end happy. FIFA announced on Sunday that it already seeks a substitute and this one should leave a playoff between, also Mexico, and the United States. The final and indefinite vacancy in the competition after punishment and exclusion from León would be for Group D, which has Brazilian Flamengo, as well as English Chelsea and Tunisia’s Spered.
“FIFA can confirm that it is considering a playoff match between LAFC and Club America for the right to participate in the FIFA 2025 Club World Cup, replacing Club Léon after the decision of the FIFA Appeal Committee,” said a spokesman for the entity. Leon was excluded from the tournament for being part of the same Pachuca Multiclub group, a Mexican team that is also ranked for the United States World Cup. FIFA’s rule prevents participants from the same owner in the competition, which made the entity seek a substitute.
“After evaluating all the evidence of the case, the president of the FIFA Appeals Committee decided that both Pachuca and León do not meet the multiclub property criteria established in the FIFA Club World Cup regulations. Upon terms, FIFA decided not to admit León in the competition and announce the club that will replace it in due time,” a statement released by the entity on March 21.
“LAFC would participate as runner-up in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League, whereby Club Léon qualified. Club America would participate as the best classified team in the FIFA Club World Cup Confederations ranking, whereby the qualification is also determined,” he continued in his explanation to the entity. “The playoff winner would qualify unless legal procedures decide the opposite. More details will be provided in due time.”
America’s coach, Brazilian André Jardine said in an interview on Sunday that the place in the World Cup should not be modified. “León should go to the Club World Cup. I’m sad for the institution and would like them to find a solution to go. In America, we want to get this place on the field,” said the coach.
*With information from Estadão Content
Posted by Fernando Dias
