Club World Cup
As the clock ticks down towards the the first ever expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup draw, Costa Rica’s LD Alajuelense still maintain that they should be entitled to a place at the 2025 competition as they cite FIFA’s non-compliance in upholding regulations.
The competition is set to be held next summer in the United States and will feature 32 of the world’s biggest club teams with the likes of Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester City, Boca Juniors, Al Hilal and Flamengo all poised to compete in the tournament which kicks-off in Miami next June.
As things stand, CONCACAF will have Pachuca, León, Seattle Sounders, Inter Miami and Monterrey as the five confederation representatives with Alajuelense citing the multi-club ownership ruling with both Mexican teams, Pachuca and Club León both controlled by the Jesus Martinez head of Group Pachuca.
The trophy is here! ✨
Crafted in collaboration with @TiffanyAndCo, this trophy will be awarded for the first time to the winners of the inaugural #FIFACWC taking place next year.
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“Those are the rules that FIFA established — there cannot be multi-ownership at a FIFA competition” an LD Alajuelense spokesman claimed last week. “There are two Mexican clubs from the same owner and the rulebook is clear. What we are asking is to review what FIFA itself established.”
🚨Comunicado oficial🚨Liga Deportiva Alajuelense presenta reclamo ante FIFA por el Mundial de Clubes 2025. https://t.co/yUTdLnWu4j
The Costa Rican side deem that they are the rightful owners of one of these CONCACAF places given that they would be next in line based on their current confederation coefficient rankings for non Liga MX/MLS teams.
Champions League
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
According to AS sources, Alajuelense have already submitted their complaint to the FIFA General Secretariat and it is in the hands of the Disciplinary Committee, which will investigate the relationship between Pachuca and Club León with ‘Los Leones’ from Costa Rica not ruling out going to CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) as a last resort.
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About the author
Paul Reidy
Irish native who switched from the music industry to the world of sport moving from Universal Music to AS in 2017. A keen runner, soccer player and now discovering the world's fastest growing sport of padel. A fútbol fanatic covering LaLiga, MLS, Liga MX and other offbeat stories from the global game. Can always be found rooting for the underdog.
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