FIFA said on Friday that the Mexican team Leon has been disqualified from the United States Club World Cup this summer due to a violation of the multi-ownership regulations.
Leon and another Mexican team, Pachuca, were found to have violated tournament rules regarding multi-club ownership by a FIFA appeals committee. Grupo Pachuca is the owner of both sides.
“Club Leon will be removed from the competition, with the club to be admitted as a replacement to be announced in due course,” a statement from FIFA read.
No club competing in the tournament may directly or indirectly hold or deal in the securities or shares of any other competing club, according to Article 10.1 of the tournament rules.
The Costa Rican club Alajuelense disputed the two Mexican teams’ participation based on a conflict of interest.
On June 16, Leon was selected to play Brazil’s Flamengo and Esperance of Tunisia in Atlanta before facing English powerhouse Chelsea.
The 32-team event takes place from June 14 to July 13 in the United States.
