FIFA Drops from Antitrust Lawsuit, Opening Door for International Domestic Games
In a surprising turn of events, event promoter Relevent Sports has dropped FIFA as a defendant in its antitrust lawsuit against FIFA and the U.S. Soccer Federation. The resolution was filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan and excludes U.S. Soccer from the agreement. However, U.S. Soccer remains a defendant in the case, which could potentially be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The lawsuit revolves around the possibility of allowing club teams to play official league games outside of their home territory, an arrangement currently prohibited by FIFA statute. Relevent Sports stated that the agreement was made while FIFA considers changes to its rules regarding games played outside of a league’s home territory. FIFA also emphasized that it has not admitted any liability and denies the legal claims alleged in Relevent’s complaint.
Background of the Case
To understand the history of the case, The Athletic provides a comprehensive overview of why the sides are locked in this legal battle and the steps taken to reach this point. The dispute arises from Relevent’s attempt to bring two Spanish La Liga teams, Girona and Barcelona, to play a domestic league fixture in Miami in 2018. FIFA Council had previously resolved that official league matches must be played within the territory of the respective member association.
Implications for FIFA
The exclusion of FIFA from the lawsuit seems like a capitulation on the surface. FIFA’s previous stance against domestic fixtures moving to the U.S. has now dramatically shifted. FIFA had joined U.S. Soccer as a co-defendant, with U.S. Soccer accused of blocking Relevent’s business growth as a promoter, and FIFA accused of having a conflict of interest.
In July 2023, a United States District Judge ordered the completion of fact discovery related to the case by September 2024. This order may have alarmed FIFA, as discovery can reveal embarrassing or burdensome details for major organizations. Relevent recently filed a court document stating that they had reached an agreement with USSF and were nearing an agreement with FIFA on discovery materials. Shortly after, FIFA was dropped as a defendant in the case.
The details of FIFA’s settlement have not been disclosed, but Relevent retains the option to relaunch the legal case at any time by asking the court to dismiss the claims between the parties without prejudice. FIFA has not responded to questions regarding their stance on domestic fixtures being taken abroad.
The Future of International Domestic Games
If the lawsuit reaches a favorable outcome for Relevent Sports, it could open the door for teams to play official league matches outside of their home territory. This would allow teams from around the world to stage games in the United States. FIFA is already bringing major club football matches to the United States with the men’s Club World Cup tournament scheduled for the summer of 2025.
The Premier League has long capitalized on the massive American commercial market with summer preseason tours. Last year, they played a “Summer Series” with six teams in the U.S., selling out NFL stadiums across the country. This summer, a “Summer Champions Tour” is being held with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, and AC Milan. With the World Cup coming to the U.S. in 2026, commercial opportunities are expected to grow.
Although FIFA and Relevent’s statements indicate that this settlement could lead to changes in FIFA policy, leagues may still face pushback from fans and other stakeholders when moving games outside of their home nation. In 2018, when La Liga and Relevent announced games would be played in the U.S., the Spanish Footballers Association released a statement denouncing the decision. However, Relevent CEO Daniel Sillman has previously stated that official La Liga games on North American soil will happen before the 2026 World Cup.
In conclusion, the dropping of FIFA as a defendant in the antitrust lawsuit filed by Relevent Sports against FIFA and the U.S. Soccer Federation signals a potential shift in FIFA’s stance on domestic fixtures being played outside of a team’s home territory. While the outcome of the case is still pending, this development opens up opportunities for teams to play official league matches abroad, potentially increasing commercial revenue for leagues and creating new experiences for fans.