April 7 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has a busy month unravelling the qualification mess that FIFA’s Club World Cup has become following the late barring of Club León from the competition over multi-club ownership rules.
On Friday CAS confirmed it has registered individual appeals by both Club León and Club de Fútbol Pachuca (Pachuca) against FIFA over the decision in March to remove Club León saying that Pachuca and Club León breached the Regulations for the FIFA World Cup Club 2025 (Art. 10.1) concerning multiple club ownership.
Mexican clubs Pachuca and Club León both qualified by right but are both owned by the Groupo Pachuca. The ownership conflict was known at FIFA, but with an absence of guidance Grupo Pachuca took steps to put in provisions similar to those in place for UEFA competitions that allow two clubs under the same ownership to play in the competition.
“The Parties are currently exchanging written submissions for these appeals in accordance with the arbitration rules governing CAS procedures. The appeals will be expedited and heard during the week of 5 May 2025,” said CAS. The Club World Cup kicks off June 14 in Miami.
If CAS rules that ultimately FIFA were correct to remove Club León, who fills their slot.
A separate appeal filed at CAS by Costa Rica’s Alajuelense in February, claims that they should be given the slot ‘immediately’. Their case is based on an unofficial ranking and that Mexico and the US already have two teams from their nations qualified (a separate rule for the competition qualification).
However, even if Alajuelense were, the next highest ranked team, they would likely not automatically qualify as they have not won that right through the qualifying competitions.
FIFA’s competition rules do not provide for the next highest ranked team to qualify in this instance, rather the issue is a matter of ‘exceptional circumstance’ which ultimately means that FIFA has the final decision over who will participate if Club León lose their CAS appeal and remain barred from the competition.
In short it looks like Alajuelense’s appeal has the look of the old two hopes adage – Bob and No. The club probably knew this when they made their appeal.
So ultimately it looks like FIFA – under the principle of ‘exceptional circumstance’ – will have free reign to decide who enters their competition, and like the decision to award the discretionary slot to Inter Miami, it will likely be made on commercial pulling power.
That would include the power to add a third team from either the USA or Mexico. A single winner-take-all play-off between Major League Soccer’s (MLS) LAFC and Ligue MX giant Club América, has been mooted.
“FIFA can confirm it is considering a one play-off match between LAFC and Club América for the right to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025,” a FIFA statement read.
Unless, of course, CAS rules that Club León can stay.
See: Noisy Alajuelense play the politics of disruption
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