Sports
Chelsea learn Club World Cup fate after FIFA’s ban is upheld
Chelsea will play either Los Angeles FC or Mexico’s Club America in FIFA’s new Club World Cup this summer.
This was confirmed on Tuesday after Club Leon’s appeal to be included was rejected.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport, CAS, has ruled that FIFA were correct to exclude Club Leon, who were due to be Chelsea’s first opponents.
They were disqualified because their owners also own another competitor in the competition, fellow Mexican side Pachuca.
In a statement, CAS said: “As a result of the CAS ruling, Fifa is responsible for designating the final qualified team to participate in the Club World Cup 2025,” “The CAS Panel has issued an Operative Decision dismissing the three appeals and ruled that Pachuca and Club Leon failed to meet the criteria in the Regulations for the Fifa World Cup Club 2025 concerning multiple club ownership.
“The Panel examined the evidence, including the Club Leon trust set up by the owners of the club, and concluded that this trust was insufficient to comply with the Regulations. Consequently, Club Leon remains excluded from the competition and Pachuca remains qualified.
“A separate appeal by [Alajuelense] against Club Leon, Pachuca and Fifa, filed on 3 February 2025, requested that Club Leon and Pachuca’s participation in the Club World Cup was contrary to Fifa regulations and that one of the clubs, or both, should be removed.
“The appeal also requested that [Alajuelense] be admitted to the competition in place of a removed team. This case was heard by CAS in person in Madrid on 23 April 2025 and was also rejected today.”
Ademola Lookman has said that the Super Eagles are not under pressure to beat the Amavubi of Rwanda.
Eric Chelle’s side are winless after four games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series.
The Super Eagles face Rwanda in a must-win Group C encounter at the Amahoro Stadium, Kigali, on Friday.
Lookman acknowledged that the three-time African champions have a big task ahead of them.
“There’s no pressure, I’m just glad to be back with the squad, back with the guys. We have a big task ahead of us, and we are looking forward to it,” the Atalanta star told OJB Sports.
“We’ve had loads of meetings on how the manager wants us to play—our game plan, aspects of how we defend and attack. It’s all positive, and we’re all keying into his ideas.”
Atalanta manager, Gian Piero Gasperini is not ready to back down on his row with Ademola Lookman.
Gasperini and Lookman were involved in a bitter row last week following Atalanta’s disappointing exit from the UEFA Champions League.
The Italian slammed the Nigeria international for missing a penalty.
An infuriated Lookman labelled his manager’s comment disrespectful.
Gasperini aimed another swipe at the player after Sunday night’s 5-0 thumping of Empoli.
The 67-year-old sent a reminder that while Atalanta owe a lot to Lookman, it very much goes two ways.
“Lookman has always scored a lot of goals, at least since he joined Atalanta.
“He has become an extraordinary player, especially when he puts himself at the disposal of the team,” he told a press conference.
“He said that he feels a bond with the fans and I appreciate that very much.”
Former Real Madrid star Marcelo, has opened up about how former Los Blancos boss, Jose Mourinho helped him become a better player.
According the Brazilian, the Portuguese tactician taught him how to be more aggressive on the field of play.
We reported that the former Real Madrid left-back announced his retirement from football on Thursday, February 6.
He played 16 seasons at Real Madrid, establishing himself as one of the best left-backs football has seen.
Mourinho was Real Madrid boss between 2010 to 2013, and Marcelo was one of the integral players of the Portuguese setup.
Mourinho guided Real Madrid to the 2011 Copa del Rey and 2012 La Liga triumphs.
In an interview with El Homiguero, Marcelo, who played alongside some of Real Madrid’s greatest players, spoke about Mourinho and the influence he had on his career.
“Mourinho taught me to be more aggressive. I always wanted to have the ball, but he taught me that I had to steal the ball first. He helped me a lot,” he said.
“He told me: ‘You don’t know how to defend. I’m going to teach you, and I’m going to make you the best.’ It’s nice.”
Marcelo played 113 games for Real Madrid under Mourinho, scoring 9 goals and contributing 21 assists.
Overall, the legendary Brazilian made 546 appearances for the club, registering 38 goals and 108 assists.
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