US: New antitrust suit claims US Soccer blocks foreign games

The soccer promotion company owned by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross filed a 43-page federal antitrust lawsuit against US Soccer, alleging conspiracy in the manner in which it grants approval for matches played on US soil, reported Sports Illustrated. 

The lawsuit, which was submitted to the US District Court for the Southern District of New York and obtained by SI.com, asserts that US Soccer has unlawfully conspired with FIFA to boycott clubs and players that participate in matches in the US that haven’t been sanctioned by US Soccer, all in an effort to benefit the federation’s economic partner, Soccer United Marketing.

It also charges that US Soccer and FIFA have illegally interfered with soccer promotion companies that wish to provide American fans with opportunities to watch top foreign teams play one another in the USA.

US District Judge Valerie Caproni, a former Assistant US Attorney who served as General Counsel of the FBI under then-Director Robert Mueller, has been assigned the case.

Full Content: SI

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