The FIFA exec said that CAS will make determination on Leon's appeal in the next month "as we currently have 31" teams
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The Esmeraldas will attend the CAS on April 23
Infantino supported the decision made by FIFAAmérica and LAFC could play for León's vacant spotGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?
At an event in the United States to promote the 2025 Club World Cup, which will be held this summer, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said that he supported FIFA's decision to expel Club León from the competition after violating a regulation that prohibits teams with the same owner from participating.
According to the governing body, Club León is part of Grupo Pachuca, which was deemed sufficient grounds for their exclusion from the tournament, which will feature a new format with 32 teams.
"We need to see the dates for the Court of Arbitration for Sport, where we obviously have no decision-making power," Infantino said. "But in my opinion, a final decision should be made by the end of April or early May."
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
At the moment, Club León, the team for whom former Real Madrid star James Rodríguez plays, will be excluded from the Club World Cup, which will take place from June 14 to July 13.
Pending the CAS resolution regarding Leon's status at the end of April, FIFA said this week that it "can confirm it is considering one playoff match between LAFC and Club America for the right to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025."
La Fiera will go to great lengths to argue that they earned their place in the competition on the field, having been crowned champions of the 2023 Champions Cup, after defeating LAFC. América released a statement Monday, however, saying they have not been contacted by FIFA about potentially playing a match against LAFC to replace León.
Getty Images NewsWHAT GIANNI INFANTINO SAID
"We have made a decision from FIFA's Appeals Committee, which, according to the regulations, has made that determination," Infantino said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. "Now, the case will surely proceed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which will also make its decision in a very timely manner. Everything has to be decided in the coming weeks to ensure certainty and security for the 32 teams, as we currently have 31."
Getty Images SportDID YOU KNOW?
This will be the first time the Club World Cup is held in the United States and under a 32-team format. The tournament will last for one month, and the qualified clubs will have the opportunity to sign up to six new players for the competition.
Previously, the Club World Cup was only contested by the champions of each confederation and was held in Asia or Africa. The most successful club in the history of the competition is Real Madrid, with five titles.
The only editions in which the Champions League winner did not win the trophy were in 2012, 2006, 2005, and 2000. In those instances, all the teams that won were Brazilian clubs.
