Two teams file lawsuit over lack of promotion/relegation in United States
Kingston Stockade FC of the National Premier Soccer League and Miami FC of the North American Soccer League have filed a claim with the Court of Arbitration for Sport to require the U.S. Soccer Federation to adopt promotion and relegation in the United States.
Second-tier Miami FC and fourth-tier Kingston Stockdate filed the suit together, alleging that the USSF is in violation of FIFA rules.
"When it comes to soccer success, America lags behind the rest of the world. One reason is because our system is not an open system and is actually blocked from becoming an open system," Kingston Stockade FC owner Dennis Crowley said in a release.
"By embracing pro/rel and using this tried-and-true system, we would have a greater ability to unlock additional soccer markets, reward investment in those markets, and create new talent pools within the United States."
A joint press release from the two clubs cites Article 9 of the FIFA rules, which states:
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“A club's entitlement to take part in a domestic league championship shall depend principally on sporting merit. A club shall qualify for domestic league championship by remaining in a certain division or by being promoted or relegated to another at the end of a season.”
Recently, Miami FC owner Riccardo Silva offered Major League Soccer $4 billion for a 10-year media rights deal with the stipulation that promotion and relegation be implemented. The league rejected the offer.