FIFA has agreed to review its policy that prohibits league matches from being played in other countries as part of a settlement with soccer promoter Relevent Sports to end a lawsuit challenging this policy.
Relevent Sports, represented by lawyer Jeffrey L. Kessler, filed a letter in U.S. District Court stating that FIFA and Relevent have resolved. FIFA agreed to follow any injunction resulting from the lawsuit, while the lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation remains unaffected.
According to FIFA’s statement, the agreement does not imply any admission of guilt, and FIFA continues to deny the legal claims made by Relevent. The dispute arose after Relevent planned to host a Spanish league match in Miami Gardens, Florida, in 2018, which FIFA opposed.
Relevent also faced opposition from the USSF when attempting to organize a league match between two Ecuadorian teams in 2019. As a result, Relevent filed a lawsuit alleging violations of antitrust laws.
Relevent’s CEO, Daniel Sillman, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in bringing official matches from Europe to the U.S. He expressed eagerness to work with FIFA to support the global expansion of soccer.
Although the antitrust claim was initially dismissed, it was reinstated by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2023. The USSF has sought Supreme Court intervention, but the Biden administration supports the appellate decision.
