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New York Times
23-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
MLS All-Star Game: Messi still a no-show; James, Jordi Alba out of skills competition
AUSTIN, Texas – The MLS All-Star Game will be missing some of its biggest stars over the next two nights. Inter Miami left back Jordi Alba and León midfielder James Rodríguez were both slated to take part in Tuesday night's skills challenge event at Austin FC's Q2 Stadium but were scrapped from the lineup. Advertisement Liga MX confirmed to The Athletic on Tuesday night that Rodríguez did not travel for the game at all, in fact. Monterrey defender and former Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos, another one of Liga MX's headliners, is expected to arrive Wednesday and take part in the match for the second time in his career (2017, with Madrid). MLS has not confirmed whether Alba, who started in last year's event in Columbus, will take part in the game. Meanwhile, superstar Lionel Messi, the league's co-leading scorer and reigning MVP, was also selected to play in the game, but so far has been absent from any events. Multiple sources declined to say whether Messi will attend Wednesday's game – which could result in discipline. MLS rules dictate that players who are not injured and opt to not participate in the All-Star Game are then suspended for one league match, in an effort to encourage involvement. Former LA Galaxy star Zlatan Ibrahimović, for instance, was suspended one game in 2018 for skipping the event. 'I think it is ridiculous, but yeah, no comments,' Ibrahimović told reporters at the time. 'They do whatever they want. I come from a different world, I come from the real world. 'It is what it is. I respect in the end, and I'm sorry for my teammates only that I could not help them in the game. But yeah, people are interested in different things. They lose on it, and for me it doesn't matter.' Should Messi not show, he would potentially be at risk of missing Miami's home match on Saturday night against table-topping FC Cincinnati. He and Miami teammate Luis Suárez both missed last year's All-Star event, but both had injuries coming out of Copa América.
New York Times
17-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
León was booted from the Club World Cup, but its fans still showed up
ATLANTA – Israel Ornelas smiled as he walked with his 10-year-old son through the Mercedes-Benz Stadium concourse on Monday. The two were wearing green Club León shirts, and even though the scoreboard had LAFC as the home side and Chelsea as the visitor, Ornela and his son walked briskly to get to their seats. Advertisement The excitement of watching a Club World Cup match in person was momentarily extinguished, however, when Ornelas, 35, spoke about the expulsion of his beloved León from the tournament. 'It was a feeling of anger and helplessness,' he said. 'What can you do? I mean, who can stand up to those organizations?' In March, FIFA kicked León, the 2023 Concacaf Champions Cup winner, from the 32-team Club World Cup. León is owned by Grupo Pachuca, which also owns CF Pachuca of Liga MX. FIFA declared that León had violated the competition's multi-ownership regulations. Pachuca was spared while León was erased from the annals of the 2025 tournament. That didn't prevent a few hundred León fans from traveling to Atlanta to support their club – or at least the club's cause. Before the sparsely attended match, a group of León fans gathered outside the stadium and sang some of the club's popular chants. 'Dale, Dale León!' One León fan yelled 'Pinche FIFA!' (F— FIFA) while several others yelled 'Robo!' (Robbery) in unison. León's star winter signing James Rodríguez called FIFA's decision 'a grave injustice.' 'We won on the pitch. The club and the players are hurt by this,' Rodríguez told reporters in March. 'Thinking about this, if we're out, it's not fair. The team that would replace us would be stained, football would be stained. So many fans have planned to travel to the tournament, how do you tell them that they can't go?' Have just arrived at Mercedes Benz Stadium for Chelsea v LAFC. The loudest fans outside are from Club León. 'Pinche FIFA!' they yelled. ('F— FIFA') — Felipe Cárdenas (@FelipeCar) June 16, 2025 León appealed FIFA's decision with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but the decision was upheld in May. FIFA then announced that LAFC, which had lost to León in that 2023 final, would face Mexico's Club América in Los Angeles in a one-game playoff. The winner would replace León in Group D. LAFC prevailed 2-1 on May 31. Advertisement On Sunday, Ornelas and his son had traveled from Guanajuato, León, to Atlanta for what would've been their club's tournament opener. He said a feeling of helplessness consumed him when León's fate was sealed. 'We made this plan six months ago,' Ornelas said. 'It was supposed to be a father-son trip. We went through with it even though our team didn't come. To us, it feels more like mafia and business than football. But the plan was set, and we decided to come take the trip, get to know the place, and now also support Chelsea.' 'Our spot was earned on the field,' Ornelas added passionately. 'It was earned on the field and not respected in the boardroom. So, are we men or clowns?' Alexis Falcón, 31, and his friend, Alejandro Vargas, 35, traveled from León and landed in Atlanta a few hours before kickoff. The two chanted 'León! León!' as they rode a stadium escalator up to the second-floor concourse. 'We came to support León,' Falcón said. 'We bought the tickets during the presale on day one, and honestly, we feel it's very unfair that we're not playing.' 'FIFA didn't respond to give us a refund because we didn't have a U.S. credit card,' Vargas interjected. 'Then we said, well, let's go anyway.' Like Ornelas, Vargas resented that León had been removed from the Club World Cup on a technicality. 'It was lost at somebody's desk,' he said. 'The fans aren't to blame for the multi-ownership issue and all that. We earned our spot on the field.' León's late scratch had caused panic two hours away in Macon, Ga. FIFA had designated Mercer University as the León's training site. Mercer went through a meticulous FIFA process to ensure that the field was up to the governing body's standards. 'A World Cup representative is here three times a week, measuring the grass, taking temperatures — that's how intense it is,' Mercer athletic director Jim Cole told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution earlier this month. Advertisement When word reached city and university officials that León would not be part of the competition, the university's $1 million investment in a pristine on-campus football pitch suddenly felt wasted. But FIFA simply removed León from their Club World Cup training facility Excel sheet and entered LAFC. The Mercer University field is impressive, but the logistics are less than ideal for the team from Southern California. Rather than commuting a few minutes from a nearby downtown Atlanta hotel, LAFC spent four hours on a bus on match day. 'Being a part of this competition is for us more important than dealing with maybe what's not perfect in the preparation,' said LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo, whose team ultimately fell 2-0 to Chelsea in León's place on the temporary grass at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 'So for us, it's not really a big deal. We accept all the challenges that have come our way. We've had two weeks to prepare for three teams. And being obviously away from home, still in the United States, but a place that we probably wouldn't visit too often. But again, we accept all the challenges, because we really want to be here and show well and try to make a statement.' It's safe to say that León wouldn't have complained either. A ticket to the Club World Cup is priceless for clubs that don't typically face European opposition in a meaningful way. León was also seeking some redemption after being eliminated by Urawa Red Diamonds in the second round of the 2023, seven-team edition of the Club World Cup. 'I feel sad because León should be here playing and we should be supporting León today,' said 16-year-old Estela González, a Mexican-American who traveled to Atlanta from Chicago with 15 other family members. 'We were robbed. It's a robbery for our country.' 'We were deceived,' said Estela's godmother Rosa Guerra. 'We came so we wouldn't lose what we had already invested. Because we were robbed, literally.' At a nearby concession stand, Ramiro Castillo, 34 and a resident of Atlanta, stood by himself before ordering a beer. He was wearing a white León away kit. He was supposed to have been accompanied by a large group of family members who have long supported their favorite club back in Mexico. Instead, Castillo arrived alone to watch two teams with whom he had no connection. 'I had the hope of seeing my team play this match,' Castillo said. 'I had it planned since they won the Champions Cup. We had planned to come with the family, and now we're left with this feeling of sadness and frustration.'
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Club Leon Excluded from 2025 Club World Cup After Failed Appeal
On May 6, 2025, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected Club Leon's appeal to participate in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The Mexican club, which earned its spot by winning the 2023 CONCACAF Champions Cup, was removed by FIFA due to a breach of multi-club ownership rules. This decision finalizes Leon's exclusion from the tournament, set to begin June 14 in the United States. FIFA's regulations prohibit any individual or entity from controlling more than one club in the competition. Both Club Leon and Pachuca, another qualified team, are owned by Grupo Pachuca, leading to Leon's expulsion in March 2025. The CAS panel found that a trust set up by Leon's owners was insufficient to comply with these rules, allowing Pachuca to remain in the 32-team lineup. Club Leon's James Rodríguez will not be suiting up for the Club World Cup - Getty Images Leon's absence has paved the way for a high-stakes playoff between Los Angeles FC (LAFC) and Club América. FIFA plans to organize this match to determine Leon's replacement, with the winner securing at least $9.55 million in prize money. The playoff's date and venue are yet to be announced, but it ensures the tournament's roster is complete before kickoff in Miami. Advertisement Related: Two Windows, One Headache: EPL's Bold Club World Cup Transfer Fix - Athlon Sports The ruling has sparked frustration among Leon's fans and players, who feel the decision overlooks their sporting merits. Manager Eduardo Berizzo previously criticized FIFA's process, arguing it lacked respect for the club's achievements. Despite their efforts, the expedited appeal, heard on May 5, could not overturn FIFA's stance on tournament integrity. Club Leon did all it could to participate. A separate appeal by Costa Rican club Alajuelense, which sought to replace Leon, was also dismissed by CAS. Alajuelense had raised concerns about the multi-ownership issue as early as November 2024. Their case, heard alongside Leon's, did not sway the panel's decision. Advertisement The 2025 Club World Cup, featuring global giants like Real Madrid, Juventus, Inter Miami and Manchester City, promises to be a historic spectacle. For Leon, however, the dream of competing on this stage is over. The focus now shifts to the playoff, which will decide the final piece of this billion-dollar tournament's puzzle. Next: Messi's Inter Miami Headlines FIFA'S Ambitious Club World Cup Kick Off - Athlon Sports
New York Times
06-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
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)
