KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTS: Mexican club Leon have been expelled from the Club World Cup in the United States this summer after the FIFA appeal committee ruled a breach of dual ownership controls.

Leon are part of a multi-club ownership group that also includes fellow LIga MX side CF Pachuca. The involvement of Pachuca means Leon must drop out.

Replacements will be announced later with another Mexican club, America, hoping to step in.

The decision is the latest snag in the run-up to a controversial new tournament which has already been affected by the reluctance of worldwide television to provide coverage because of both financial and scheduling issues.

FIFA statement

A FIFA statement said:

Following disciplinary proceedings opened against CF Pachuca and Club León, 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 León 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 León will be removed from the competition, with the club to be admitted as a replacement to be announced in due course.

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