MEXICO CITY — The Mexican football club Leon is poised to be placed on the market to adhere to the guidelines of the Club World Cup that disallow ownership of multiple clubs by the same entity. However, this sale is not expected to occur immediately.
On Thursday, Jesús Martínez, the owner of Grupo Pachuca, made the announcement, expressing hope that FIFA will consider the pending sale and allow both Leon and Pachuca, which are also owned by Grupo Pachuca, to compete in next year’s expanded Club World Cup to be held in the United States. Both teams have successfully qualified for this 32-team tournament.
Martínez revealed that he has been in communication with FIFA and intends to meet with CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani to clarify the operational dynamics of both clubs. “They are listening. We have been transparent, and we are optimistic that we can move forward with this situation,” Martínez stated following the draw that took place on Thursday in Miami. “They informed us that a decision will be made after the draw, likely in mid-December or early January.”
In the previous month, FIFA communicated that it would not permit multiple clubs under singular ownership to participate in the tournament. This ruling came in response to a complaint from Alajuelense, a team from Costa Rica, which argued that the presence of two Martínez-owned Mexican teams in the tournament was inappropriate and requested to take the place of one of them.
“We do have a point in our favor since the regulation was only released a month ago,” remarked Martínez. “That matter is currently being reviewed, but so far, I see a willingness on their part. The priority is to honor what was achieved on the field.”
This situation highlights the evolving landscape of football regulations and ownership, as teams and their stakeholders navigate the new expectations set forth by international governing bodies. The outcome of these discussions could have significant implications for Mexican football on the global stage.
