The Supreme Court has given the green light for a soccer promoter's antitrust lawsuit to move forward against FIFA and the U.S. Soccer Federation. This decision stems from a dispute over FIFA's policy that prohibits a country from hosting league matches involving teams from other countries.
The lawsuit was filed by Relevent Sports, which is owned by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross. The legal battle began in 2019 when FIFA interfered with Relevent's plans to host a Spanish league match between Barcelona and Girona in Miami Gardens, Florida. Additionally, the USSF refused to sanction a league match between two teams from Ecuador.
Initially, a district court dismissed the lawsuit. However, a three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously reinstated it. The Biden administration supported Relevent's position in the case at the Supreme Court.
Recently, Relevent and FIFA reached an agreement to remove FIFA from the lawsuit. The USSF is currently reviewing this agreement, which is pending approval by U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni. Representatives from FIFA, the USSF, and Relevent have not yet provided comments on this latest development.
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