David Beckham faces legal threat after FIFA's controversial Inter Miami move
Costa Rican outfit Alajuelense, who have won 30 league titles in the country's top flight, want FIFA to hand them a place in the Club World Cup next year and are prepared to take legal action if they do not
by Oli Gamp · The MirrorCosta Rican side Alajuelense has claimed it could take legal action if FIFA does not allow them a place in next year's revamped Club World Cup - after David Beckham 's Inter Miami were controversially included.
FIFA's new-look competition will see 32 compete in the US next summer between June 15 and July 13 after expanding the competition from seven teams - with Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid among the top sides involved.
But Inter Miami's inclusion has been contentious after Lionel Messi and Co were handed a place after they won the Supporters' Shield - the trophy given to the MLS side with the best regular season record.
Alajuelense, who have won 30 league titles in the country's top flight, now want FIFA to hand them a place in the tournament and are prepared to take legal action if they do not - pointing out that two clubs participating, Leon and Pachuca, have the same owner.
A club statement said: "The claim is based on the principles of eligibility set in the rules of the tournament."
Alajuelense spokesman Marco Vazquez added: "Those are the rules that FIFA established — there cannot be multi-ownership. There are two Mexican clubs from the same owner and the rulebook is clear. What we are asking is to review what FIFA itself established."
Vazquez claimed the club has hired a law firm in Spain and have given them "all the details" of their case.
Seattle Sounders and Monterrey are two of the four CONCACAF clubs who have qualified for the tournament, with Inter Miami granted entry after being given the host nation spot. Alajuelense is the best-ranked Central American club but is only 40th in the rankings for all CONCACAF clubs.
Speaking last month to hand Miami a place in the Club World Cup after their Supporters' Shield win, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: "Miami loves football, the world loves football and the world loves Miami. So I have three things to tell you.
"The first: many congratulations for winning the Supporters’ Shield. And on top, with the record of points in Major League Soccer. Congratulations, you are the best team of the season in America. Second, based on this outstanding performance of this year you deserve to be, and you will be, for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
"And third, as the host team of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, you will have the honour of opening the tournament by hosting the opening game here in Miami at the Hard Rock Stadium in front of 65,000 people and tens of millions at home."
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