Costa Rica Post

Pura Vida, Every Day
Saturday, Apr 26, 2025

Liga Deportiva Alajuelense Prepares Legal Challenge Against FIFA in TAS

The Costa Rican club is set to challenge FIFA, León, and Pachuca in a case involving ownership regulations in the upcoming Club World Cup.
Liga Deportiva Alajuelense is currently focused on training under the guidance of coach Alexandre Guimaraes as they pursue the leadership in the domestic league.

However, the club is simultaneously preparing legal strategies in anticipation of a crucial hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on April 23. This case marks a significant challenge for the Costa Rican team as they prepare to confront FIFA, León, and Pachuca over disputed ownership regulations in Mexican football.

Alajuelense has filed a complaint against FIFA at the CAS, highlighting the issue of multiple ownership in Mexican football—an allegation that had long been acknowledged but generally overlooked.

Mexican media have recently scrutinized the regulations concerning the Club World Cup, which explicitly prohibits multiple ownership among participating teams.

León and Pachuca's affiliations with Grupo Pachuca place them in a precarious position, raising questions about compliance with FIFA statutes established since 2008.

The Costa Rican club argues that it is the first non-Mexican and non-American team to appear in the FIFA rank for the Club World Cup concerning the CONCACAF region, claiming the right to replace any team excluded due to ownership conflicts.

When FIFA disregarded their initial claims, Alajuelense escalated the matter to the CAS, seeking to enforce its rights.

To advance its case, Alajuelense has engaged prestigious legal representation from Sportia Law, a law firm based in Spain, and appointed club executive León Weinstok to lead this legal effort.

Media interest surrounding the upcoming proceedings is intensifying, particularly in Costa Rica, with local journalists preparing to cover the hearings scheduled to take place in Madrid.

Tomás Guardia, the second vice president of Alajuelense, stated that the club is taking necessary actions to defend what it believes to be its rights regarding participation in the Club World Cup.

He emphasized that the club has adhered to all procedural guidelines and feels confident about its standing.

"We believe we have the right to participate in the Club World Cup, and now we will await the CAS's resolution, which is an independent entity," Guardia conveyed.

The club's board remains steadfast in their stance while maintaining a measured approach in public statements regarding the case.

Guardia remarked that the club's achievements in the Central American Cup and subsequent FIFA ranking have earned them a legitimate place in this dispute.

Alajuelense's supporters are closely watching the developments, particularly as León and Pachuca face exclusion from the Club World Cup following FIFA's acknowledgment of multiple ownership issues.

In this climate, internal support within Alajuelense appears strong, underscoring a collective stance behind their leadership in this legal endeavor.

This sense of unity was reflected when 'Transparencia Rojinegra', a movement of opposition within the club’s political landscape, issued a statement commending the leadership and backing the pursuit of a place in the upcoming Club World Cup.

As the court date approaches, Alajuelense finds itself at a pivotal moment, not only in the ongoing Liga Pro League but also in this significant legal confrontation with FIFA and the two Mexican clubs.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Milwaukee Judge Arrested on Allegations of Aiding Undocumented Immigrant’s Escape
Pope Francis: head of the Catholic church who pushed for social and economic justice
Global Leaders Pay Tribute to Pope Francis Following His Death
El Salvador Proposes Prisoner Exchange with Venezuela Amid Deportation Controversy
US Government Defends Deportation of Salvadoran National Kilmar Abrego Garcia
A casino in Mexico burns at the hands of cartels
Pope Francis Makes Brief Appearance at Easter Sunday Mass
"Some complain that we put thousands in prison. In reality, we set millions free."
US Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Rapid Deportation Policy
U.S. State Department Raises El Salvador’s Safety Ranking, Making It Safer Than France and Other European Nations
U.S. and Panama Finalize Defense Agreements Amid Canal Access and Chinese Influence Concerns
Alisha Lehmann's Modeling Campaign and Public Controversy Stir Debate Ahead of UEFA Women's Euro
Argentina's "Magician" or a Public Relations Illusion? "Individuals Are Sifting Through Garbage and Resting on the Sidewalks."
Ecuador Gears Up for US Military Deployment in Response to Action Against Violent Drug Cartels
The Trump administration has rescinded legal status for more than 530,000 migrants hailing from four nations.
Trump Administration's Deportation of Alleged Gang Members Sparks Legal Dispute
Deadly Tornadoes and Dust Storms Lead to 33 Deaths in Central and Southern United States
Mark Carney Chosen as Leader of Canada's Liberal Party, Poised to Become Prime Minister
Trump Administration Plans New Travel Ban Including Afghanistan and Pakistan
US Announces $10 Million Bounty for Capture of Ex-Olympic Snowboarder Now Drug Kingpin
El Salvador Pursues Extradition of Former Colonel Tied to 1982 Killings of Dutch Journalists.
U.S. Creates Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve, Sparking Market Surge
Research Explores Possible Connection Between COVID-19 Vaccines and Post-Vaccination Syndrome
Latin America News Synopsis: Gatherings, Legal Disputes, and Economic Developments
Mexico Offers Constitutional Amendments to Protect Sovereignty in Response to U.S. Terrorist Labels for Cartels
Tequila Sector Faces Oversupply Challenge as Agave Prices Drop Sharply
Costa Rica to Welcome Repatriated Migrants from the United States
New York Fashion Week Showcases Iconic Comebacks and Rising Stars
OpenAI Revises Its Approach in Response to Growing AI Competition
Trump Wins Again as Canada Agrees to Strengthen Border Security
Wall Street Journal Criticizes Trump's Trade War with Canada and Mexico
Trump Freezes Tariffs on Mexico After Agreement on Border Security
Apple Abandons AR Glasses Project Amid Struggles with Technology and Market Demand
U.S. Clinical Study Investigates Medication to Prolong Dogs' Lifespan
Trump: Canada Should Become the 51st U.S. State
Panama Rules Out Negotiations With US Over Control of Canal
The 'Chinese Pearl Harbor' on U.S. Tech: DeepSeek's Launch Triggers Market Collapse
Key Takeaways from the 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos
BlackRock CEO Larry Fink Suggests Bitcoin Could Reach $700,000 with Increased Institutional Investment
Five Billionaires on Track to Break One Trillion Dollar Wealth Barrier
Celebrity Responses to California Wildfires: Charity, Criticism, and Controversy
Saprissa Withdraws from Costa Rica's Women's Soccer First Division, Sparking Debate and Concern
Miguel Herrera: Farewell Video from Fox Sports as He Takes on Costa Rica National Team
Controversial Reappointment: Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Names Marta Esquivel as Planning Minister
A Long Battle Ends in Tragedy for Shooting Victim in Costa Rica
Triple Homicide in Los Chiles: Couple and Five-Year-Old Girl Fatally Shot
Horacio Elizondo Resigns Irrevocably from Costa Rica's Football Federation Amidst Controversy
Costa Rican Digital Vehicle Licensing Bid Faces Another Setback
Convict Recaptured After Brief Escape from La Reforma Prison Complex
José Giacone: Confident in Saprissa's Enhanced Competitiveness This Season
×