March 25 – Club León have been excluded from the Club World Cup because they don’t meet FIFA’s multiple-club ownership criteria.
The Mexican side were due to face Chelsea, Flamengo and Espérance Sportive de Tunis at the expanded summer tournament, but FIFA withdrew León because they don’t comply with the rules that prevent clubs from holding securities or shares of another participating club in the competition. The global governing body ruled that Club León and CF Pachuca have the same owner, namely Grupo Pachuca.
FIFA said: “In line with article 10 paragraph four 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.”
In 1995 José de Jesús Martínez Patiño acquired Pachuca and then in 2011, while León were still competing in Mexico’s second division, the Mexican businessman added them to his portfolio.
ESPN writes that Patiño is listed as the majority shareholder of both clubs in the Public Registry of Commerce of the United Mexican States. In the Mexican topflight, Liga MX, multiple-club ownership will be phased out by 2027.
Grupo Pachuca will appeal the decision, explaining: “We do not agree with this decision, which we will apply until the last instances with the highest sport authorities, since all the proof and documentation shows our administrative and sporting independence were presented with full opportunity and transparency. We will defend what we earned on the field in a fair and professional way.”
Costa Rica side Liga Deportiva Alajuelense had challenged the decision to allow the two teams to participate in the tournament at the Court of Arbitration for Sport and they have been cited as a possible replacement club for León.
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