The Costa Rican club took FIFA to the sports arbitration court under the rules of the Club World Cup.
Liga Deportiva Alajuelanse claims that the governing body of football has broken its own regulations on multi-club ownership by including Mexican clubs Leon and Pachuca.
Alajuelanse said their case “substantiates the existence of joint ownership between Leon and Pachuca,” and the club requested a solution “a month ago” in the CAS.
The 30-time Costa Rica champion believes that based on the rankings of continental clubs, they should replace one of the clubs in tournaments held in the US.
In a statement to BBC Sport, the CAS said “arbitration proceedings have begun” following a complaint from Alajuelense.
BBC Sport contacted FIFA for comment.
Of the four locations reserved for North, Central America and the Caribbean Association Football (Concaca) clubs, three Mexican sides are eligible.
Both owned by the Pachuca Group, Leon and Pachuca are scheduled to join Monterrey as the three winners of the latest CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Article 10.1 of FIFA’s regulations regarding the Club World Cup states that participating clubs cannot “hold or trade securities or shares of other clubs participating in the competition” or “manage, control, control, and/or Sports performances from other clubs.”
Alajuelanse filed his first complaint with FIFA in November, demanding the right to participate in the upcoming Club World Cup.
It was met by a response from FIFA. FIFA has granted the receipt of the complaint, but said Alajuelanse will not necessarily be a “party in the litigation,” the Times reported.external
Pachuca Group owner Jesus Martinez said in December that he intended to sell Leon’s majority share to comply with FIFA rules.
Alajuelanse issued a further statement on January 15th, calling on FIFA to issue a decision regarding their lawsuit.
The 2025 Club World Cup will be held between June 15th and July 13th.
