Chelsea’s preparations for this summer’s Club World Cup have been rocked by FIFA’s decision to remove one of their scheduled opponents, Mexican side Club Leon, from the tournament.
The Blues head to the United States this summer among the favourites to enjoy a deep run in the tournament, initially drawn in Group D alongside Leon, Brazilian giants Flamengo and Esperance Sportive de Tunis of Tunisia.
Analysts will have been drawing up scouting reports on all three sides but Chelsea will now need to prepare for a new opponent after FIFA confirmed Club Leon would be removed from the tournament due to breaching multi-club ownership rules.
Leon are owned by Grupo Pachuca, who also own another side competing in the tournament, Pachuca. FIFA have not been satisfied that the two can operate as separate entities and have made the decision to banish Leon from the competition.
“We are dissatisfied with this decision, which we will appeal to the highest court of appeal and the highest sports court, since all the evidence and documentation that proves our administrative and sporting independence was presented in a timely and transparent manner,” a Pachuca statement read.
Leon added: “If Club Leon is prevented from participating in the 2025 Club World Cup with the same rights with which it earned a place on the pitch, we will pursue it to the very end in the highest sporting courts.”
Meanwhile, FIFA have not yet named a replacement for Leon who, theoretically, would take their place in Group D alongside Chelsea this summer. The Blues have their own multi-club ownership model and could risk the same fate as Leon if French sister club Strasbourg qualify for the same European club competition as Chelsea next season.
An overall prize pot of £775m has been set aside by FIFA to reward all clubs who turn out in the Club World Cup. Chelsea are expected to pocket around £50m for their involvement, perhaps growing that reward if they enjoy a deep run.
