James Rodriguez calls FIFA's decision a grave injustice

In Mexico City, the captain of Club Leon, James Rodriguez, alongside coach Eduardo Berizzo, publicly appealed to FIFA regarding the recent decision to exclude their team from the upcoming Club World Cup. This decision was made due to the club's ownership structure, which does not align with FIFA's regulations on multi-club ownership. Both Club Leon and another Mexican team, Pachuca, are owned by Grupo Pachuca, creating a conflict as FIFA prohibits teams with the same ownership from participating in the tournament. This development has ignited controversy, as Rodriguez described the decision as a 'grave injustice,' asserting that it contradicts the principles of fair competition in soccer. Rodriguez, who joined Club Leon earlier this year with the aspiration of participating in the Club World Cup, expressed his disappointment while maintaining his commitment to the team regardless of the outcome. Berizzo also voiced strong criticism, declaring that their exclusion was unfair and urging for a review of FIFA's regulations, emphasizing that they did not violate any laws. Leon's midfielder Andres Guardado echoed these sentiments, condemning other teams that have expressed interest in stepping in for Leon and criticizing FIFA for allowing multi-club ownership in Mexico for years without prior action. The repercussions of FIFA's decision have sparked discussions about the fairness of multi-club ownership regulations and their enforcement. The fallout from this situation highlights the need for clarity in FIFA's guidelines as clubs navigate ownership complexities in the global soccer landscape.