Fifa settles lawsuit over matches played outside of domestic leagues’ home nation

In April 2024, FIFA settled an antitrust lawsuit with Relevent Sports, a sports promoter controlled by Stephen Ross, owner of the Miami Dolphins. The lawsuit challenged FIFA’s policy that prohibited foreign clubs and leagues from staging official matches outside their home countries, particularly in the United States. This settlement allows FIFA to reconsider its stance on hosting league matches abroad.

Relevent Sports had previously attempted to organize a La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Girona FC in Miami in 2018, but the match was blocked due to FIFA’s policy. Similarly, a proposed Ecuadorian league match between Barcelona SC and Guayaquil City in the U.S. was also denied. These events led Relevent to file the lawsuit against FIFA and the U.S. Soccer Federation.

 

As part of the settlement, FIFA agreed to consider changes to its rules regarding the staging of official league matches outside a league’s home territory. While the settlement does not immediately permit regular season matches to be played in the U.S., it opens the door for future discussions on this matter.

 

This development is significant, especially with the United States, Canada, and Mexico set to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The potential for hosting official league matches in the U.S. could enhance the sport’s profile and fan engagement in the region.

 

In summary, the settlement between FIFA and Relevent Sports marks a pivotal moment in the global football landscape, potentially paving the way for official league matches to be played outside their traditional home territories in the future.