Inter Miami have controversially been handed a top seeding for next month’s Club World Cup draw despite crashing out of the MLS Playoffs.
Lionel Messi inspired his team to a record-breaking regular season performance.
But Atlanta United pulled off a large upset to dump the overwhelming favorites out of the MLS Cup race.
Next summer’s Club World Cup is being held within the US and FIFA president Gianni Infantino has awarded the host nation place to Miami.
In keeping with The Times, the A1 slot that has been reserved for David Beckham’s franchise would normally see it named among the many top seeds and chosen to open the tournament.
FIFA is yet to announce who can be the highest eight teams within the draw on December 5 with Premier League rivals Manchester City and Chelsea among the many star names.
Infantino made his announcement after Miami won the MLS Supporters’ Shield with a record points haul.
Controversially, FIFA didn’t reveal its qualification criteria and critics claim the governing body is desperate for Messi to be involved to spice up viewing figures.
The choice has come under increased scrutiny now it has been confirmed that Miami is not going to be crowned champion.
While the Club World Cup is a lift, Major League Soccer was the goal and Manchester United legend Gary Neville says he’s gutted for his former teammate Beckham.
“I used to be really disillusioned for them because once you see that kind of level of performance that they put in within the league but that is the character of cup football, of playoff football,” he said on his It’s Called Soccer podcast.
“That concept, that jeopardy, that exists inside a one-off match where anything can occur and that is sport.
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“It’s a special completely skill set being consistent over an extended time period after which raising your game for a one-off amazing performance, which obviously is what happened on this particular game.
“It has shook me, obviously it can have shaken Miami as well and I’m gutted for Becks because I do know that that was something that was really near his heart.
“This yr they’ve done brilliantly within the league in the course of the season after which this happens.
“But look, next yr, sport and football all the time provide you with one other probability.”
Host Rebecca Lowe closed the segment by circling back to Infantino’s decision.
“Penny for Gianni Infantino’s thoughts,” she said.
“I’m sure he won’t even be frightened about it.
“But yes, that does definitely add to the controversy around their inclusion within the Club World Cup next yr now that they, after all, are definitely not going to be MLS champions.”
