Club Leon have been removed from the Club World Cup after failing to meet regulations on multi-club ownership.
The Mexican side were scheduled to take on Chelsea, Tunisian side ES Tunis and Flamengo of Brazil in the group-stage of the reformatted tournament.
However, the world governing body determined that they, along with another team from Mexico, Pachuca, did not comply with rules prohibiting clubs from directly or indirectly holding or dealing in the securities or shares of another club participating in the competition.
Both clubs are owned by Grupo Pachuca and Fifa said in a statement that they would announce a replacement in “due course”.
The statement said: “Following disciplinary proceedings opened against CF Pachuca and Club Leon, the chairman of the Fifa Disciplinary Committee decided to refer the case directly to the Fifa Appeal Committee in accordance with article 56 paragraph 3 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code.
“After having evaluated all evidence on file, the chairman of the Fifa Appeal Committee has decided that CF Pachuca and Club Leon failed to meet the criteria on multi-club ownership defined under article 10 paragraph 1 of the regulations for the Fifa Club World Cup 2025.
“In line with article 10 paragraph 4 of the regulations for the Fifa Club World Cup 2025, Fifa has determined that Club Leon will be removed from the competition, with the club to be admitted as a replacement to be announced in due course.”
Leon disagreed with the decision and said they would appeal to the sport’s highest courts if they were denied a place at the event.
“In the last few months we have presented all the evidence and documents confirming that Club Leon manages itself in an autonomous manner in all economic, administrative and sporting aspects,” the club added.
The expanded Club World Cup will see 32 teams play in the event in the United States from June 14 to July 13, shortly after the end of the European domestic seasons.
