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.”
Supreme Court rejects an appeal from a Canadian man once held at Guantanamo
Man dies in fire under Atlantic City pier near homeless encampment
WNBA moving date of its preseason game in Canada to avoid potential conflict with NHL playoffs
DEAR CAROLINE: Our son and daughter
Sweden beats France, Britain relegated after losing to Norway at hockey worlds
Dalai Lama’s sister receives award for educating Tibetans in exile — Radio Free Asia
Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula explores selling non
Georgia gymnastics coach Courtney Kupets Carter is fired after 7 seasons, no NCAA titles
Celebrity birthdays for the week of May 26
Religious leader faces new charge in case that brought 5