León's Club World Cup Exclusion: Ownership Issues and FIFA's Decision Explained

FIFA has made a decisive move by excluding León from the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, set to take place in the United States. The decision stems from the club's failure to meet the criteria regarding multi-club ownership, a regulation that prohibits any individual or legal entity from controlling more than one participating club.

Ownership Issues

Both León and Pachuca, another Liga MX side, are owned by the same group, led by Mexican businessman José de Jesús Martínez Patiño. According to FIFA's Article 10 in the 2024 regulations, clubs owned by the same legal entity cannot participate in the competition. Martínez Patiño, who holds a majority stake in both clubs, has acknowledged the issue and stated his intention to sell León to comply with FIFA's regulations.

Legal Battles

León and Pachuca are currently under investigation by an independent committee appointed by FIFA. They are required to prove that they operate as independent entities. Additionally, Costa Rican club Alajuelense has filed a claim with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), arguing that one of the two Grupo Pachuca teams should be disqualified from the Club World Cup for violating tournament regulations.

Timeline and Next Steps

The CAS has accepted Alajuelense's claim and has requested arguments from both Mexican clubs and FIFA by April 2, 2025. The final decision is expected by May 2025, which will determine whether Grupo Pachuca will be allowed to participate in the Club World Cup or if one of its teams will be excluded.

Conclusion

The exclusion of León from the Club World Cup highlights the complexities of multi-club ownership and FIFA's stringent regulations. As the legal battle continues, the fate of both León and Pachuca hangs in the balance, casting a shadow over their participation in one of the most prestigious tournaments in world soccer.