By Tum Balogun
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Top-flight English clubs could be one step closer to contesting Premier League matches abroad following a resolution between New York City-based event promoter Relevent Sports and FIFA on Monday.
Football’s top governing body had been co-defendants in a case brought by the American company, who had sought to bring two LaLiga sides – Barcelona and Girona – to play a league game in Miami in 2018.
FIFA objected, with its council resolving that ‘official league matches must be played within the territory of the respective member association.’ Subsequently FIFA joined US Soccer as a co-defendant, with the national association already accused of seeking to block the growth of Relevent Sports’ business as a promoter.
As the United States’ national association, US Soccer has the power to approve all professional soccer matches played within its territory.
However, according to The Athletic, Relevent Sports is set to drop FIFA as a defendant in its antitrust lawsuit. The resolution does not include USSF, which remains a defendant in the case which could yet be heard by the US Supreme Court.
Monday’s resolution indicates that FIFA may change their policy on competitive domestic matches being played abroad
FIFA had been co-defendants in an antitrust case brought by Relevent Sports after they had objected to a LaLiga match being played in the US. (Pictured: FIFA president Gianni Infantino)
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The development is viewed as a major climb down by world football’s top governing body, who up until recently had firmly opposed the notion of domestic matches being played abroad.
As per the report, FIFA’s agreement with Relevent Sports states that they will be bound to whatever the final decision is in the ongoing case, as long as it applies to ‘any rules, policies, or practices concerning official season games held outside of the participating league’s and teams’ home territory.’
Relevent Sports indicated that FIFA will be considering changes to their current stance, adding in a statement to The Athletic: ‘Relevent Sports looks forward to supporting FIFA as both sides work to grow the game.’
The outcome of the case could have far reaching implications on the future of competitive domestic football in the top leagues around the world. There has already been movement towards domestic match-ups taking place hosted abroad with the likes of the Spanish and Italian FAs staging their respective Super Cups in Saudi Arabia in recent years.
The Premier League has also attempted to capitalise on the popularity of the English game Stateside with marquee pre-season clashes. The league hosted a Summer Series with six teams involved last year, while in 2024 Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal will all face-off against one another in the country.
The US is set to stage a revamped – and greatly expanded – Club World Cup in 2025, a year before they will host the World Cup.
The Spanish FA have staged the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia for the past four seasons
There is expected to be continued growth of the sport in the US, who will host the next World Cup in 2026
Six Premier League clubs including Chelsea and Fulham competed in the Premier League Summer Series during pre-season last summer
Even if FIFA’s apparent change of heart paves the way for competitive domestic matches abroad, any move is likely to face serious backlash from fans and other stakeholders.
Though, Relevent Sports may not be deterred in their mission to take said games to the US. CEO Daniel Sillman said in a statement on Monday: ‘Bringing official matches from Europe to the US is an exciting proposition but it must be done thoughtfully and collaboratively.
‘We look forward to partnering with FIFA to support the global growth of the game and the best leagues in the world.’
Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd
Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group
