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Alajuelense are 30-time champions of Costa Rica's top flight A Costa Rican club has taken Fifa to the Court of Arbitration for Sport over its Club World Cup rules. Liga Deportiva Alajuelense argue football's governing body has broken its own regulations regarding multi-club ownership with the inclusion of Mexican clubs Leon and Pachuca. Alajuelense said their case "demonstrates the existence of a joint ownership" between Leon and Pachuca and the club has requested a resolution at Cas "no later than one month before" the expanded 32-team Club World Cup begins on 15 June. The 30-time Costa Rican champions believe they should replace one of those clubs in the tournament, which takes place in the United States, based on their continental club ranking. In a statement to BBC Sport, Cas said an "arbitration procedure has been initiated" after a complaint from Alajuelense. BBC Sport has contacted Fifa for comment. Of the four places reserved for clubs from the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf), three Mexican side have qualified. Leon and Pachuca, who are both owned by the Pachuca Group, are set to join Monterrey as three of the most recent Concacaf Champions Cup winners. Article 10. 1 of Fifa's regulations for the Club World Cup states that no club participating "may hold or deal in the securities or shares of any other club participating in the competition" or "be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of any other club". Alajuelense filed an initial complaint with Fifa in November to request its right to participate in the next Club World Cup. That was met by a response from Fifa, who acknowledged receipt of the complaint but said Alajuelense would not necessarily become "a party to proceedings" should there be any, the Times reported. , external The owner of the Pachuca Group, Jesus Martinez, said in December that his intention was to put a majority share in Leon up for sale in order to comply with Fifa's rules. Alajuelense released a further statement on 15 January, calling on Fifa to issue a decision on their case. The 2025 Club World Cup will take place between 15 June and 13 July. Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Get football news sent straight to your phone Battling Buttler begins rebuild for England against India 'Isak dominates Saliba duel' - how Newcastle beat Arsenal to reach EFL Cup final 'Not enough for what club expects' - 'toothless' Arsenal miss out again The highly anticipated Motherland spin-off Lucy Punch returns as ‘alpha mum’ Amanda to face downsizing and the horror of modern teens The true story of a vicious cyber-harassment campaign Stalked uncovers the true story of a young woman’s journey to expose her anonymous cyber-stalker Uncanny's chilling return to i Player Do ghosts exist? Danny Robins investigates real-life stories of the supernatural Drs Chris and Xand explore the science of exercise How much exercise should we be doing, and how does it help our bodies? Who rivals Dupont as Six Nations' greatest player? 'Howe's Newcastle can assume legendary status forever' Why Milan's Winter Olympic sliding events could be held 4, 000 miles away 'It is a revolution' - how rugby is taking Paris Dreary or incredible? Burnley's records divides fans Kelce and Swift - an NFL love story that almost never was Superstars compete at Alpine World Ski Championships - how to watch 'Football dreams & a business empire' - Ronaldo's relentless drive at 40 Meet the girls pushing to become future F1 stars In Pictures: Sporting photos of the week 'A brutal reality for Man Utd' - Mc Nulty's deadline day verdict Best free agent ever? The story behind Barkley's stunning season Five talking points from opening Six Nations games Chiefs bid for immortality - countdown to Super Bowl 59 begins Were Australia really 16-0 better than England? The painful divorce of Marcus Rashford and Manchester United How Forest's Elanga & Gibbs-White 'ran Brighton ragged' Video How Forest's Elanga & Gibbs-White 'ran Brighton ragged' Are we in a golden age of the Six Nations? Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.