Leon captain, James Rodriguez has hit out FIFA for their decision to kick his team out of the Club World Cup.
Rodriguez branded FIFA’s decision as grave injustice, adding that the world’s football governing has stained football.
Recall that Leon was placed in Group D alongside Chelsea, Flamengo of Brazil and Tunisian outfit Esperance de Tunis when the draw for the tournament was made last December.
However, Leon were recently removed from the competition which is set to start in June by FIFA.
FIFA’s decision to remove the Mexico club was because of a breach of its regulations surrounding multi-club ownership.
Both Leon and Liga MX rivals CF Pachuca are owned by Grupo Pachuca.
But the two clubs had initially qualified for the expanded 32-team tournament.
Their participation was challenged on the grounds that they share ownership.
Just last week, it was reported that Leon will be replaced by Costa Rican side Alajuelense, while Pachuca will remain in the competition.
Speaking on the development at a press conference ahead of his side’s clash with Pumas UNAM on Monday, Rodriguez told reporters: “I think it is a grave injustice. We all believe that. We won on the pitch.
“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.
“It’s odd. I think FIFA has to get their things together. Football is stained by this.”
Rodriguez joined Leon in January on a one-year deal.
Club World Cup: Injustice, you’ve stained football – Rodriguez slams FIFA
