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James Rodriguez Slams FIFA Over Club Leon’s Club World Cup Expulsion

Published

3 weeks ago

Mar 30, 2025.

James Rodriguez Slams FIFA Over Club Leon’s Club World Cup Expulsion.
FIFA cites multi-club ownership rules as the reason for Leon’s removal.
Costa Rican club Alajuelense replaces Leon, while Pachuca retains its spot.

Club Leon captain James Rodriguez has strongly condemned FIFA’s decision to expel his team from the upcoming Club World Cup, calling it a “grave injustice” that tarnishes the integrity of football.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Rodriguez expressed deep disappointment over FIFA’s ruling, stating that Leon had rightfully earned its place in the tournament but was now being unfairly excluded.

Leon had initially been drawn into a competitive group featuring Chelsea, Brazil’s Flamengo, and Tunisia’s Esperance de Tunis. However, FIFA’s recent decision removed the Mexican club from the competition, set to begin in June.

The governing body justified its ruling by citing concerns over multi-club ownership regulations. Leon and fellow Liga MX side CF Pachuca are both owned by Grupo Pachuca, raising potential conflicts of interest. Although both clubs had qualified for the expanded 32-team tournament, their shared ownership structure led to controversy.

According to reports, Costa Rican club Alajuelense has been selected to replace Leon, while Pachuca retains its spot in the tournament.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Leon’s match against Pumas UNAM, Rodriguez did not hide his frustration.

“I think it is a grave injustice. We all believe that. We won on the pitch. The club and the players are hurt by this decision. If we’re out, it’s simply not fair. The team that replaces us will carry this stain, and football as a whole will be stained by this ruling,” he said.

James Rodriguez Slams FIFA

Rodriguez, who joined Leon in January on a one-year deal, continues to advocate for FIFA to reconsider its stance, warning that such controversies undermine the sport’s credibility.