By Andrew Warshaw
January 31 – Just days after qualifying for the London Olympics, women’s soccer in the United States has suffered a massive blow with the announcement that the entire 2012 season is being scrapped.
The Board of Governors for Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) voted to call off the upcoming season as a result of a legal dispute with former South Florida team owner Dan Borislow (pictured).
In October, the league ended its South Florida franchise after clashing with Borislow all season.
A Florida judge ruled earlier this month that the league failed to follow its own dispute procedures when it terminated the franchise, and another court hearing is set for tomorrow.
WPS chief executive Jennifer O’Sullivan said: “We have diverted so many resources into litigation.
“This is something that needs to be resolved before we can move forward with play.”
Women’s soccer in the USA has long been regarded as one of the bastions of the sport globally, arguably more popular than the men’s game until recently.
The Americans are not only defending Olympic champions but are invariably among the favourites at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Last year they were upset in the final by Japan.
However, domestically the WPS was down to only a handful of teams in recent months and authorities deemed next season could not go ahead.
“We are proud of what the League has accomplished in the first three seasons, but we do recognise the necessity to resolve our existing legal and operational issues so that we can continue to support and grow WPS the right way,” said Sky Blue FC owner Thomas Hofstetter.
“This was a very difficult decision, but one we, as owners, feel is the best business decision for the league at this time.”
England striker Kelly Smith (pictured right) said she was “devastated” after learning that the US season had been called off.
“It was a total shock to receive the email from the league,” said Smith, who plays for Boston and is England’s all-time leading scorer.
“It’s a big year for women’s football.”
Alex Scott, a team-mate of Smith’s at Boston, and Sky Blue FC duo Anita Asante and Karen Bardsley are all now searching for new clubs.
It is the second time Smith has been left without a club in America after the previous professional league failed in 2003 while she was with Philadelphia Charge.
“I’ve been shaking my head thinking I can’t believe this has happened again,” she told BBC Sport.
“If a professional women’s league was going to happen anywhere it’s the US but that seems to have failed, so maybe that’s not the way forward.”
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