FIFA will not choose La Fiera's replacement until the Court of Arbitration for Sport issues its ruling
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León was expelled from the FIFA Club World Cup for not complying with the multi-ownership regulations.
André Jardine spoke about the possibility of joining the tournament if FIFA selects them.
América is the current three-time champion of Mexican football but has not won anything in international tournaments.
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
With Club León officially excluded from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, several teams have emerged as potential replacements, including América, the winners of three consecutive Liga MX titles.
Although have not won a CONCACAF Champions Cup since 2016, their status as the highest-ranked team in the region strengthens their case for a spot in the tournament, which will take place from June 14 to July 13.
Following León’s removal, América manager André Jardine addressed the situation in an interview with Claro Sports, saying, "We are doing our best to earn a place on the field. Hopefully. Of course, I want to, but it's not a matter that concerns us. If at some point the spot is decided based on the FIFA ranking, I think we deserve it because we are the best in that criterion, and we’ll be there."
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Club León, the team which Real Madrid player James Rodríguez features, assured through its sporting director Rodrigo Fernández that they will go to the fullest extent to avoid the team's exclusion from the tournament. The will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to remain among the participants in the Club World Cup. Meanwhile, clubs such as Alajuelense from Costa Rica and América have already raised their hands to take the spot left vacant in case León does not succeed in their appeal before the CAS/TAS.
gettyDID YOU KNOW?
Club León secured its spot in the 2025 Club World Cup by winning the CONCACAF Champions League in 2023. The team defeated Los Angeles FC in the final, ensuring their participation in the international tournament. Following yesterday's news, Jesús Martínez, president of the team, denied that León would loan James Rodríguez to Pachuca to compete in the tournament this summer. "I have in my mind to fight. I don't think this is something that can be viable. What we want is for what we earned on the field to be respected, to try to make FIFA reconsider and, through everything we do, vote in our favor."
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR AMÉRICA?
Due to the FIFA break, América will play a friendly match against Atlante this Saturday at their training grounds. It is expected that the starting players who were not called up by their national teams will play for 45 minutes in this match. The club will face Tigres next Saturday at the Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes in Matchday 13 of the tournament.
