A football club from Costa Rica has taken FIFA to the Court of Arbitration of Sport over rules regarding the Club World Cup. Liga Deportiva Alajuelense has argued that the organisation broke its own rules over multi-club ownership by including Mexican sides Leon and Pachua.
The Costa Rican team said that its case “demonstrates the existence of a joint ownership” between the two Mexican clubs, and that it has requested a resolution “no later than one month before” before the Club World Cup kicks off on, 15th June.
The 30-time champions of Costa Rica believe that they should replace one of the two in the competition due to their continental club ranking. The court said that the arbitration process has been initiated following the complaint from Alajuelense.
Of the four sports reserved for the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf), three teams from Mexico have qualified. Leon and Pachua are both owned by the Pachua group. They will join Monterrey as three of the most recent Concacaf Champions Cup winners.
No team participating “may hold or deal in the securities or shares of any other club participating in the competition” or “be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of any other club” according to article 10.1 of FIFA’s regulations for the Club World Cup.
Alajuelense’s initial complaint was filed with FIFA requesting a right to participate in the tournament. FIFA responded by acknowledging that it has received the complaint but said that the team would not necessarily be “a party to proceedings.”
Pachua Group owner Jesus Martinez said in December that it was his intention to put his majority share in Leon up for sale, allowing it to comply with the rules. Alajuelense released a statement on 15 January calling on a decision on the case.
The 2025 Club World Cup will begin on 15 June with the final being played on 13 July.
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