GENEVA (AP) — Leaders of top European soccer leagues say they have no plans to take games to the United States, though acknowledged that could change pending a lawsuit in Manhattan.
FIFA has shifted its long-time policy of blocking domestic league games being played on the territory of another member federation by withdrawing this month from an antitrust suit filed by U.S. promoter Relevent Sports. The suit is also against the U.S. Soccer Federation.
If league games could be organized abroad, European leagues and clubs — especially in England and Spain — could expect offers from the United States, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere.
“It’s not part of our current plans, it really isn’t,” English Premier League CEO Richard Masters said on Friday at a news conference after the 34-nation European Leagues group met in London.
Still, Masters said uncertainty over the court case meant “no one quite knows exactly what is happening but the door looks ajar potentially in America, at any rate, for matches abroad.”
What's making me bruise so easily from the slightest knock? ASK DR MARTIN SCURR
Meghan Markle models 'love like a mother' t
EPA designates 2 forever chemicals as hazardous substances, eligible for Superfund cleanup
Revealed: Why you should always take your own sandwiches to the airport
Anne Hathaway and husband Adam Shulman join Kate Hudson at Derek Blasberg's star
Caitlin Clark 'is set to sign eight
Emiliano Martinez is shown TWO yellow cards but little
Atlanta or Afghanistan? Wild shootout breaks out at gas station with one gunman wielding an AK
REVEALED: Michelin Guide names its first
Swiatek beats Raducanu in Stuttgart quarters. Sabalenka loses to Vondrousova
Happy birthday Archie! As the young royal turns five today
NWSL champion Gotham FC sign German goalkeeper Ann