James Rodriguez attacks FIFA.

Leon Club's captain and head coach Eduardo Berizzo have called on FIFA to reconsider its decision to exclude the Mexican team from the 2025 Club World Cup.

James Rodriguez hopes to still be able to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 with Leon.

At a press conference on March 28, James Rodriguez expressed his disappointment: “This is a huge injustice. If they exclude us, it’s unfair and will leave a stain on football. There are fans who bought tickets, even went into debt to pay for them. How can you tell them that now they can’t go anymore?”

Last week, FIFA announced that Leon was disqualified from the 2025 Club World Cup for failing to comply with regulations regarding "one owner, multiple teams," a decision that subsequently sparked considerable controversy. Leon and Pachuca, another Mexican team, both qualified for the tournament, but according to FIFA, they are owned by the same group called Grupo Pachuca.

This led to FIFA's decision to drop Leon, despite objections from the team. James Rodriguez, who won the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup, shared that one of the main reasons he signed Leon was to participate in the tournament held in the US this summer.

The former Real Madrid star shared: “I am happy to be here. Whether we participate in the Club World Cup or not, that doesn't change my intention to stay. This is a new experience. I have never qualified for a Club World Cup, and yet just a few weeks before the tournament, they announced we were eliminated. I hope FIFA can do something to change that.”

Leon Club's owner, Grupo Pachuca, announced he will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) next month. Coach Berizzo expressed optimism: “CAS should rule in our favor. We had the right to play, we did not violate any rules. This decision is unfair, there is still time to rectify the situation.”

Currently, FIFA has not announced a replacement team, but the Costa Rican club Liga Deportiva Alajuelense has expressed its desire to take Leon's place. Alajuelense was the club that previously requested FIFA to investigate Leon and Pachuca.

Leon midfielder Andrés Guardado also expressed his frustration: “The teams raising their hands to claim the right to replace us should feel ashamed. This is a serious injustice. If anyone is at fault, it is FIFA. The ownership of multiple clubs in Mexico has existed for a long time, and FIFA still allows us to compete.”

Source: https://znews.vn/james-rodriguez-cong-kich-fifa-post1541711.html