March 24th, 2025, 2:19am
Costa Rica’s Team Liga Deportiva Alajuence criticized President Konkakaf Victor Montagliani after expressing full support for Club Leon in a legal battle with FIFA, which was removed from the 2025 Club World Cup.
Due to the strict multi-ownership rules of the tournament, FIFA has determined that the two Grupo Pachuca teams cannot compete in the same edition. The general secretary chose to remove Club Leon from the Club World Cup and left Pachuca with the sole representative of Grupopachuca.
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Alajuelanse originally reported the case to the court for sports arbitration of TAS, leading FIFA to take action.
Now, Montagliani says CONCACAF will support Club Leon in the legal battle to restore their position in the tournament.
“This is a legal process. Grupo Pachuca might go to Tas if they want. We don’t know what will happen,” Montagliani told Tudn. “We respect this process, but as the president of Konkakuff, I support Leon. They won. [2023] Champions Cup on the field. And for us, we hope to see Club Leon at the 2025 Club World Cup at the end of this legal process. ”
Alajuelanse publicly criticized President CONCACAF, labeling his actions as “a violation of neutrality.”
“President Konkakaff’s declaration constitutes a serious violation of the principles of neutrality, fairness and the obligations of institutional loyalty.”
Alajuelanse joins the list as one of many Konka Kaff teams to claim that he deserves Leon’s place in the tournament due to the merits of football. However, FIFA will soon announce a replacement.
CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani said he is supporting Club Leon to play in the 2025 Club World Cup. Azael Rodriguez/Getty Images
The organization does not provide any hints as to which teams or leagues are considered potential participants.
Club Leon won tickets for the tournament when lifting the 2023 CONCACAF Champions Cup. Pachuca then lifted the same trophy in 2024 and joined the list of participants at the Club World Cup.
The tournament will begin on June 14th as InterMiami faces Al Ahly FC at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
