The fallout of Club World Cup's play-in pivot for LAFC, Club América, León
The FIFA Club World Cup is just over a month away, yet we already have our first major controversy. On Tuesday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected appeals from Mexican side Club León and Liga Deportiva Alajuelense (LDA) of Costa Rica, as both organizations sought avenues to play in the summer tournament.
FIFA confirmed the decision, which means that León, winner of the Concacaf Champions Cup in 2023, has been excluded from the competition for violating the Club World Cup's regulations concerning multi-club ownership. León is owned by Grupo Pachuca, which also operates CF Pachuca, a club that also qualified for the competition.
LDA felt it had a case to replace León due to its ranking in the region, but CAS thought otherwise. Now, FIFA's solution is a one-game playoff between MLS's Los Angeles FC, the runner up to León in 2023, and Mexican powerhouse Club América, Concacaf's highest-ranked team that has not yet qualified for the competition. The win-and-in playoff will take place on May 31, with the victor entering Group D in the Club World Cup along with Chelsea, Flamengo and Espérance de Tunis.
So, what does this decision mean for all the parties involved? And what about Colombian star James Rodríguez, who signed with León in January with the Club World Cup cited as a major reason why he moved to Mexico in the first place? Let's discuss. North American soccer will get a $10M showcase
MLS clubs and Liga MX sides find ways to play each other every year. Whether it's a summer friendly, the MLS All-Star Game or in a tournament like the MLS-Liga MX Leagues Cup, the U.S.-Mexico storyline is forced upon American soccer fans like a hot iron. The problem is that those games are far from meaningful.
A one-game playoff for a berth to the 32-team Club World Cup features stakes that an MLS vs. Liga MX game has never had. Not only is this an opportunity for LAFC or Club América to compete against some of the top clubs in the world, a ticket to the Club World Cup includes a nearly $10 million bonus for all qualified teams, with more prize money on offer depending on performance. Although MLS players on participating teams can only earn $1 million collectively from the astonishing $1 billion total prize money, the financial factor is significant for teams in this region.
The game is reportedly set to be held at LAFC's BMO Stadium, which boasts one of MLS's best matchday atmospheres. Add in Club América's massive following in LA and around the U.S., and you've the makings of a blockbuster moment for North American soccer. Inspiration or devastation for León?
On Tuesday, a press release by León described the CAS decision as 'a difficult sentence' before pointing the finger at supposed Liga MX rivals who conspired to keep León out of the Club World Cup.
Without naming FIFA, León felt harshly judged by 'an organization that is dedicated to promoting the game,' before adding 'but from the beginning, there were no sporting principals at play during this case.' To call León the victims in this situation is debatable. But the fact is that the team earned a spot in the Club World Cup by winning a major continental trophy. In that sense, the reaction is understandable.
Meanwhile, León is currently in the quarterfinals of the Liga MX playoffs, where it'll face Cruz Azul, a team that recently reached the final of this year's Concacaf Champions Cup – and the winner is due to face either Pachuca or América, in another fun twist. Will the sting of this CAS decision derail the club's title hopes or inspire a championship run? Time will tell. Is there still a a way for James to play in the Club World Cup?
The short answer is yes. There will be a brief 10-day transfer window from June 1 to June 10 that will allow teams to sign players on a temporary basis. The tournament begins on June 14 in Miami. Rodríguez, 33, could be moved to León's sister club CF Pachuca, which has already qualified for the Club World Cup.
Conceivably, Rodríguez could be added to a number of teams, but it's doubtful that he'd have a list of suitors at this stage of his career. The Club World Cup was a big reason why the Colombian playmaker signed with León in the first place. Rodríguez is a big-stage player. He proved that last summer after leading Colombia to the Copa América final against Argentina.
Rodríguez won the golden ball after setting a tournament record with six assists, which broke the previous record held by Lionel Messi. In that sense, it's a letdown to see the Club World Cup lose one of its more recognizable stars. In March, Rodríguez referred to the possibility of León being expelled from the tournament as 'a grave injustice.'
'We won on the pitch,' Rodríguez told reporters in March. 'The club and the players are hurt by this. Thinking about this, if we're out, it's not fair. The team that would replace us would be stained, football would be stained.' LAFC's Hollywood story could go global
Celebrity owners, a classy black and gold strip, and a short history of success in American soccer. That's LAFC's story since entering MLS in 2018. The club lifted its first MLS Cup in 2022 after a Gareth Bale header sent the final against the Philadelphia Union to extra time, and LAFC eventually prevailed on penalties.
That team featured Bale, Carlos Vela and Italian legend Giorgio Chiellini. Today's squad is less star-studded, although France World Cup winner Olivier Giroud is the backup No. 9 (and could meet one of his former clubs, Chelsea, in the group where LAFC would enter if successful). The Club World Cup, however, would give the LAFC's project the global boost that all MLS teams covet. Outside of Inter Miami and the LA Galaxy, there are few brands in MLS with a worldwide following. A win over Club América in the playoff and a respectable performance at the Club World Cup could change that for LAFC. Club América gets put on the spot
According to Club América, the team has over 45 million fans around the world, of which 15 million reside in Southern California. The club should feel at home inside LAFC's BMO Stadium. That won't surprise anyone who follows North American soccer. The Mexican giants are the top brand in the region and perennial favorites to win the Liga MX title and the Concacaf Champions Cup. Appearing in the Club World Cup is a great opportunity to accentuate that point and grow its global footprint.
On the flip side, the worst-case scenario could be quite humiliating, as a loss to LAFC in a game of such massive consequence would be a major setback for América and Mexican soccer. The rivalry that exists between the U.S. and Mexico on the pitch is often hostile and nationalistic. As of late, the North American sides have clawed their way back and enjoyed more success at the international level. Club América will carry the weight of its century-old history into the playoff, but it'll also represent the pride of a nation whose football has hit rock bottom of late.
(Top photo: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
29 minutes ago
- Associated Press
FIA suspends steward for Canadian Grand Prix over Verstappen penalty comments
Formula 1's governing body has suspended a driver steward for this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix over comments he made regarding a penalty Max Verstappen received two weeks ago. The FIA said Friday that Derek Warwick's comments were not authorized and he will be replaced by Enrique Bernoldi, who will officiate from the Remote Operations Centre in Geneva for the remainder of the weekend. 'After discussion, Derek acknowledges that his comments were ill-advised in his role as an FIA steward and has apologized,' the FIA said in a statement. 'Derek will resume his duties as a steward in the forthcoming Austrian Grand Prix.' Verstappen received a three-point penalty for running George Russell off track at the Spanish Grand Prix. The penalty put the four-time reigning F1 champion just one point away from an automatic one-race suspension. Warwick did an interview with a gambling publication in which he defended the penalty levied to Verstappen as the 'perfect' punishment because the Dutchman was 'absolutely wrong' in the contact with Russell. It is the second time this year the FIA has penalized a race steward. Johnny Herbert was let go in January as a steward because the FIA said his 'duties as an FIA steward and that of a media pundit were incompatible.' The FIA said the decision was made 'with regret.' Herbert at the end of the 2024 season gave several interviews to gambling sites, some related to high-profile decisions he was involved with in his role as a steward. He even had a public argument with Jos Verstappen, father of the four-time champion, after Verstappen was penalized in Mexico City for an incident with Lando Norris. Jos Verstappen alleged Herbert was biased and said 'the FIA should take a good look at the staffing of the stewards, who they put there and whether there is no appearance of a conflict of interest.' Herbert in turn criticized Verstappen's driving and called it 'over the top.' He also said Verstappen had developed 'a horrible mindset of trying to gain an advantage by taking a fellow driver off the race track.' The FIA determined Herbert had displayed impartiality and could no longer be a steward. Warwick, meanwhile, has apologized and the FIA has indicated his punishment is only for this weekend. ___ AP auto racing:
New York Times
43 minutes ago
- New York Times
F1 steward suspended from Canadian GP after Max Verstappen penalty comments
The FIA announced Friday evening that steward Derek Warwick has been suspended from his duties for the remainder of the Canadian Grand Prix weekend. Enrique Bernoldi, a former Formula One driver from the early 2000s, will replace him and officiate 'from the Remote Operations Centre in Geneva,' according to the governing body. Advertisement The move comes after Warwick, who competed in F1 from 1981 to 1993, made 'unauthorized media comments' recently, with reports surfacing earlier this week that the he spoke about a wide range of topics on the gambling site Plejmo, including about Max Verstappen's Spanish Grand Prix penalty that's placed the Dutchman one penalty point away from a race ban. 'Should it have been harsher? I think they got it about right, actually,' Warwick said to Plejmo about the FIA's 10-second penalty on Verstappen for causing a collision with George Russell in Spain. 'I think a lot of people would say he should have got a ban as an example to young karters, and they are probably right, but I feel the penalty was spot on.' 'You've got to look at each individual incident on their own merit. I thought it was very questionable. It's not what I like to see.' The FIA added in its statement, 'After discussion, Derek acknowledges that his comments were ill-advised in his role as an FIA steward and has apologised. Derek will resume his duties as a steward in the forthcoming Austrian Grand Prix.' This is not the first time that the governing body has taken action on stewards making media remarks in recent years. Last season, Johnny Herbert and the FIA mutually agreed his role as a steward was 'incompatible' with his media duties. He raced in F1 from 1989 to 2000 and later became a pundit for Sky Sports in 2012. He left the role in 2022 but remained an analyst, speaking with betting sites. He had made numerous public comments about incidents he oversaw as a steward, which raised concerns within the FIA. Driver stewards play a powerful role in an F1 weekend. While there have been calls for permanent stewards from time to time for consistency reasons, it remains a rotating panel, each race weekend consisting of four individuals. Race control typically notes when incidents happen, and it's the race director who sends it to the stewards. The final judgement falls with the stewards, who are akin to referees. The regulations give guidelines on what penalties are available; however, the stewards decide the infringements and sanctions. The bottom of each decision document states: 'Decisions of the Stewards are taken independently of the FIA and are based solely on the relevant regulations, guidelines and evidence presented.' Top photo:
Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Can Lionel Messi and Inter Miami really spring a surprise at the Club World Cup?
MIAMI (AP) — The Club World Cup will take Inter Miami from start-up to the global stage. Just five years after its MLS debut, the team co-owned by David Beckham and starring Lionel Messi will have the eyes of the world on it as it kicks off soccer's newest competition with the chance to be crowned world champion. It's been a wild ride. 'This is a competition that will let us see where we are standing as a team,' coach Javier Mascherano said Friday as Miami enters the unknown in a competition featuring 32 of the best teams from around the globe. 'No one expects us to go far, but this should be an advantage. We don't have that in our national league when people expect Miami to be the winning team.' Up first for Miami at the Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday is Africa's most successful team — Al Ahly from Egypt, which has won a record 12 African championships. When it comes to winning heritage, there is no competition. Al Ahly, founded in 1907, has won a record 45 national league titles and 39 domestic cups — another record. It qualified for the Club World Cup three times over by winning three of the last four African Champions League titles. Questions over Miami's place Miami, meanwhile, is taking part in the tournament by more questionable means. Its place was secured as a result of winning the MLS Supporters' Shield, a decision that was greeted with some surprise when announced by FIFA president Gianni Infantino last year, and looked even more curious when Miami failed to go on and lift the MLS Cup that season. A tournament devised to determine the best team in the world by largely bringing together continental champions managed to shoehorn in a team that hadn't even managed to win its own national title. No wonder questions were raised. Miami, however, has made a habit of pulling off the unlikely and setting its sights high. 'Our club will have a global vision,' managing owner and CEO Jorge Mas said when Miami was launched in 2018 — at that time without a team or even a name. Led by Messi, a classy pedigree Miami has lived up to that billing — luring star players like former Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain and eventually landing the biggest of them all two years ago when signing Messi. It is no surprise Infantino wanted the Argentine great in his inaugural tournament. The presence of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner adds glamour and interest, and boosts the chances of FIFA selling out more stadiums like the 65,000-seat Hard Rock. 'Everyone's talking about Messi 24/7 every day,' said former Italy striker Christian Vieri, who is an analyst for broadcaster DAZN. 'The whole world's going to be watching the first game and everyone wants to watch Messi, so it's just going be an incredible night.' Messi has not just raised the profile of Miami, but also MLS, with clips of his goals shared around the world on social media. 'The league was growing before, but ever since his arrival it's grown a lot faster. What he's done for this sport in the States is huge,' said Miami teammate Benjamin Cremaschi. With him in the team, Miami won the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the Supporters' Shield last year, setting an MLS record for the most points in a single season. Optimism in South Florida And it is the presence of arguably the greatest player of all time, along with other star names like Luis Suarez , Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, that is driving belief Miami can make a statement over the next month. 'This club has had a short life, but this is the most important competition in the history of our club,' Mascherano said. 'It is only normal that a European team should win the competition, but these tournaments can spring a surprise. Why can we not be excited that we can spring a surprise?' Miami is likely to have to win its opening game to have a real chance of advancing beyond the first stage, with Brazilian giant Palmeiras and Portuguese side Porto also in Group A. For Messi, the tournament presents him with the unusual experience of being an underdog. 'The expectations I have are different to the ones I had when I played for other teams, but I'm eager and I look forward to competing against the best and doing well,' he said. Win or lose, Suarez believes Miami's rapid rise is just the beginning. 'We know how the club is improving now,' Suarez said. 'The last two years we've had so many people here to see us. We keeping going up and the next two or three years Inter Miami will become bigger and bigger.' ___ James Robson is at ___ AP soccer:
