Club Leon have been kicked out of the FIFA Club World Cup for failing to meet criteria on multi-club ownership.
The two Mexican sides in the tournament – Club Leon and Pachuca – are both owned by Grupo Pachuca.
Club Leon secured their place in this summer’s Club World Cup by winning the Concacaf Champions Cup in 2023, while Pachuca won it last year.
Chelsea were due to play Club Leon in their Group D opener on June 16, but FIFA has confirmed that a replacement team will now be selected.
Brazilian side Flamengo and ES Tunis are the other two teams in Chelsea’s group.
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‘After having evaluated all evidence on file, the chairman of the FIFA Appeal Committee has decided that CF Pachuca and Club Leon failed to meet the criteria on multi-club ownership,’ FIFA said in a statement on Friday.
‘FIFA has determined that Club Leon will be removed from the competition, with the club to be admitted as a replacement to be announced in due course.’
In response, Club Leon plan to appeal the decision made by FIFA.
‘In the last few months we have presented all the evidence and documents confirming that Club Leon manages itself in an autonomous manner in all economic, administrative and sporting aspects,’ read a statement from Club Leon.
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