English Premier League or La Liga matches in Hong Kong? Fifa considers rule changes to overseas games policy
- Fifa does not allow league matches to take place in foreign territories but a recent US lawsuit may change that
- In 2018, world football’s governing body blocked a La Liga match between Barcelona and Girona from being played in Miami
Fifa said it would consider changes to its policy blocking league matches from being played in other countries, as part of an agreement with a football promoter to dismiss the world governing body from a lawsuit challenging that stance.
Relevent Sports lawyer Jeffrey L Kessler filed a letter on Monday in a US District Court in Manhattan stating that Fifa and his client agreed to the dismissal.
Keller wrote that Fifa agreed to abide by any injunction arising from the suit, which also includes the US Soccer Federation as a defendant. The agreement did not alter the suit against the USSF.
“Fifa and Relevent have agreed to resolve this matter as it concerns Fifa, pending Fifa’s consideration of changes to existing Fifa policies with respect to playing official season games outside a league’s home territory,” Fifa said in a statement.
“Fifa has not admitted any liability and continues to deny the legal claims alleged in Relevent’s complaint.”
In October 2018, Fifa said its ruling council adopted a policy that “emphasised the sporting principle that official league matches must be played within the territory of the respective member association”. Barcelona then withdrew its commitment to play in Florida.
The change in Fifa’s stance could open up the possibility of Hong Kong promoters bringing matches from some of the game’s biggest leagues to the city’s new state-of-the-art stadium at Kai Tak Sports Park, when it opens for business in 2025.
Relevent in 2019 also was refused permission by the USSF to sanction a league match between two teams from Ecuador.
Relevent sued the governing bodies, claiming violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act and tortious interference.
“Bringing official matches from Europe to the US is an exciting proposition but it must be done thoughtfully and collaboratively,” Daniel Sillman, the Relevent CEO, said in a statement. “We look forward to partnering with Fifa to support the global growth of the game and the best leagues in the world.”
Caproni in July 2021 granted the USSF’s motion to dismiss the antitrust claim but the case was reinstated in March 2023 by the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals. The USSF asked the Supreme Court in August to take the case, and the Biden administration last month said the Supreme Court should let the appellate decision stand.
“Fifa and Relevent Sports have agreed to resolve this matter specific to Fifa while Fifa considers changes to its existing rules about whether games can be played outside a league’s home territory,” the promoter said in a statement. “Relevent Sports looks forward to supporting Fifa as both sides work to grow the game.”
