February 4 – Costa Rican club Alajuelense are taking their fight to play in the expanded Club World Cup to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). They have launched legal action against FIFA over what they see as the governing body’s failure to enforce its own rules regarding club ownership in the 32-team tournament.
At the heart of the dispute is the inclusion of Club León and Pachuca, two Liga MX clubs owned by Jesús Martínez, president of Grupo Pachuca. Alajuelense argue that allowing both teams into the tournament violates FIFA regulations on multi-club ownership and, more importantly, unfairly blocks their own path to the global stage.
“Due to FIFA’s inaction on our management submission, we have formally lodged a complaint with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Our claim highlights the existing dual ownership of León and Pachuca, and asserts that no team has a superior right than ours to participate in the upcoming Club World Cup,” the Costa Rican club stated.
Alajuelense position themselves as one of CONCACAF’s top-ranked clubs, though they face stiff competition from Liga MX and MLS teams in the pecking order for Club World Cup slots. Should FIFA be forced to remove one of the two Mexican teams, Alajuelense could find themselves with a golden ticket to the tournament.
This legal move follows months of protest. On November 18, 2024, Alajuelense formally lodged a complaint with FIFA, demanding “transparency and proper application of regulations, ensuring the integrity of sporting competitions.” However, when FIFA’s December draw confirmed both León and Pachuca in the tournament lineup, the Costa Rican club decided to escalate matters.
Though the new-look Club World Cup could turn out to be a pre-season tournament for Europe’s already overused elite, it will be a lucrative opportunity for lower income clubs, so it makes sense that Alajuelense are determined to force FIFA’s hand. Whether CAS will take their argument seriously remains to be seen.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1738690848labto1738690848ofdlr1738690848owedi1738690848sni@g1738690848niwe.1738690848yrrah1738690848.