List of sports clubs playing in the league of another country
There are a number of sports clubs around the world that are based in one country/territory but play in another's league in their respective sport. Conditions for competing in a "foreign" league, as well as in a continental/confederational competition, are set case-by-case by the international sports federation as well as the respective confederation and national sport associations involved.
Clubs which are located in defunct nations that merged with others, new nations separated from others, or which stopped competing in a nation's league system because their locale was transferred to another nation, are not included in this article.
Association football
Britain and Ireland
As a result of the history of football in the United Kingdom, the United Kingdom has four FIFA member countries instead of one. Therefore, clubs that play outside what would be regarded as their 'home country' are included.
England / Scotland
- Berwick Rangers play in the Scottish football league system (Scottish League Two as of 2015–16).
- Tweedmouth Rangers joined tier 6 of the Scottish football league system which is the East of Scotland Football League in 2016 from the North Northumberland League.
- Gretna played in the English football league system until 2002 when they were elected to the Scottish Football League. They folded in 2008, and their successor club Gretna 2008 continue to play in the Scottish football league system.
- Annan Athletic played in the English football league system from 1952 (when they joined the Carlisle and District League and the Cumberland Football Association) to 1977.
- There have been proposals for Celtic and Rangers to play in the English leagues, but these were never acted upon.[1]
England / Wales
- The New Saints (formerly Total Network Solutions), one of only two fully professional clubs in the Welsh Premier League, represents both the Welsh village of Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain and the English town of Oswestry (the two places are 8 miles/13 km apart), since its merger in 2003 with financially troubled Oswestry Town, an English club which played in the Welsh football structure. Since the 2007–08 season, they have played in Oswestry, while previously playing in Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain. As regular contenders to the Welsh Premier League title and Welsh Cup, The New Saints have represented Wales in European competitions.
- Newcastle A.F.C. from Newcastle, Shropshire play in the Welsh football league system (Mid Wales South League).
- Bucknell F.C. from Bucknell, Shropshire played in the Welsh football league system (Mid Wales South League) until the 2014-15 season.[2]
- Trefonen F.C. play in the Welsh football league system (Montgomeryshire League).
- Morda United did play in the Mid Wales Football League, but moved to the West Midlands (Regional) League (in the English football league system) in 1994. The club return but to the Montgomeryshire League in the 2014-15 season.
- Bishop's Castle Town did play in the Montgomeryshire League, but moved to the Shropshire County League (in the English football league system) in 2010. The club return to the Montgomeryshire League in the 2016-17 season.
- Swansea City play in the Premier League
- Cardiff City play in the Championship
- Newport County play in League Two
- Wrexham play in the National League
- Colwyn Bay play in the Northern Premier League Division One North
- Merthyr Town play in the Southern Football League Premier Division
- In addition, Deva Stadium, home to Chester and previously to the defunct Chester City, straddles the England–Wales border, and its entire pitch is in Wales (though the club offices, which are part of the stadium complex, are in England).
Although all the above clubs play in the English football league system and are allowed to compete in the FA Cup, Wrexham, Colwyn Bay and Merthyr Town are under the jurisdiction of the Football Association of Wales for disciplinary and administration purposes. Swansea City, Cardiff City and Newport County previously had the same governance until an arrangement was made with the FA for the 2011–12 season onwards which sees Welsh clubs playing in the top four divisions of English football under the governance of the FA.[3]
Cardiff City (1921–29, 1952–57, 1960–62 and 2013–14) and Swansea City (1981–83 and 2011–present) have played in the top division of English football (currently the Premier League). Cardiff City are also the only non-English side to have won the FA Cup, winning it in 1927; they again reached the final in 2008, prompting the English FA to change the rules to allow Welsh clubs to represent England in UEFA competitions should they qualify to do so.[4] Swansea City won the 2012–13 Football League Cup, and are the first Wales-based club to qualify for a European competition through a place reserved for the English Football Association.
The following Welsh clubs have also played in the English football league system:
The following defunct Welsh clubs also played in the English league system:
Until 1995, the above clubs were allowed to participate in the Welsh Cup, and represented Wales in the Cup Winners' Cup if they won. Clubs playing in those parts of England close to the Welsh border could also play in the Welsh Cup by invitation, but could not represent Wales if they won.
Northern Ireland / Republic of Ireland
→ : Northern Irish in the Republic of Ireland
- Two different clubs bearing the name Derry City have played in the Republic of Ireland football league system:
- The original club, founded in 1928, played in the Northern Ireland football league system until 1972, when it was expelled from the Irish Football League due to issues related to The Troubles. The club then spent 13 years without a league until being admitted to the second level of the League of Ireland in 1985. Two years later, they earned promotion to the League of Ireland's first level, and continued there until their expulsion in 2009 for financial mismanagement. The club was dissolved shortly thereafter.
- A new Derry City club, which considers itself to be a continuation of the original, was founded in January 2010, and was admitted to the second level of the League of Ireland starting with that season. They returned to the top flight at the first opportunity by winning the First Division title.
Derry City have won the league titles of both Northern Ireland (1964–65) and the Republic of Ireland (1988–89, 1996–97), and also the cup titles of both Northern Ireland (1948–49, 1953–54, 1963–64) and the Republic of Ireland (1988–89, 1994–95, 2002, 2006, 2012), and have represented both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in European club competitions.
Guernsey / England
- Guernsey F.C. play in the Isthmian League Division One South.
The Guernsey Football Association has no international recognition; it has county status with the English Football Association.
Continental Europe
Andorra / Spain
- FC Andorra play in the Spanish football league system (Primera Catalana).
Austria / Germany
- SV Kleinwalsertal has played in Germany since the 1960s, playing in the tier ten A-Klasse Allgäu 4 in 2016–17.[6]
Cyprus / Greece
- Olympiakos Nicosia played in Greece in 1967–68, 1969–70, and 1971–72.
- AEL Limassol played in Greece in 1968–69.
- EPA Larnaca FC played in Greece in 1970–71.
- AC Omonia played in Greece in 1972–73.
- APOEL F.C. played in Greece in 1973–74.
From 1967 to 1974, the champion of the Cypriot First Division was promoted to the Greek First Division.
Finland / Sweden
- IF Fram 1999–2011 and possibly earlier
- IF Östernäskamraterna 2004–2007
- Eckerö IF 2005–2009
- Jomala IK 2000–2005 and possibly earlier
- IF Finströms Kamraterna 2002–2003
- IF Start 2004
- Lemlands IF 2011– still plays in Swedish league system
- Hammarlands IK 2014– still plays in Swedish league system
All clubs are based in the Åland Islands, an autonomous region of Finland with an ethnic Swedish population.
France / Switzerland
→ : French in Switzerland
- Evian Thonon Gaillard applied in 2010–11 to play across the border in nearby Geneva, Switzerland (sharing with FC Servette), due to its own facilities being inadequate for top division French football; however, despite French Football Federation support, UEFA denied it, and Evian ended up playing in Annecy, sharing with Annecy F.C.
Germany / Switzerland
→ : German in Switzerland
- FC Büsingen play in the Swiss football league system, as Büsingen is a German exclave surrounded by Switzerland.
Italy / Switzerland
→ : Italian in Switzerland
- AP Campionese play in the Swiss football league system, as Campione d'Italia is an Italian exclave surrounded by Switzerland.
- FC Chiasso played in the Italian league system between 1914 and 1923.
Kosovo / Serbia
→ : Kosovar in Serbia
Kosovo is still only a partially recognised state and the government of Serbia still claims the territory as its own. Due to Serbian refusal of Kosovo institutions, Serbs in North Kosovo act independently in sport. For example, the Football First League of North Kosovo was primarily formed of Serbian clubs from four of North Kosovo's municipalities. Both governments agreed upon creating an Association of Serb municipalities.
In 2016, Kosovo became the 55th member of UEFA, and therefore Football Federation of Kosovo's Football Superleague of Kosovo became a recognised independent league.
From 2010 to 2015, the Football First League of North Kosovo was the top football regional league in North Kosovo, ranked fifth in the Serbian league system. The league was formed primarely of Serbian football clubs that come from four of North Kosovo's municipalities such as Leposavić, Zvečan, Zubin Potok and Northern Kosovska Mitrovica. The league was formed in protest to the establishment of the Kosovo Super League by the Republic of Kosovo; the Serbian clubs from North Kosovo refuse to enter the Republic of Kosovo's institutions as per the Assembly of the Community of Municipalities of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija.
- FK Ibar Leposavić
- FK Kopaonik Lešak
- FK Moša Banje
- FK Rudar Kosovska Mitrovica
- FK Zvečan
- FK Radnik Prilužje (until 2013)
- FK Sočanica (until 2014)
There are two other clubs from North Kosovo, which compete in different leagues:
- FK Mokra Gora plays in the national Serbian League West
- FK Trepča play in the Morava Zone League
Liechtenstein / Switzerland
→ : Liechtensteiner in Switzerland
- FC Balzers
- USV Eschen/Mauren
- FC Ruggell
- FC Schaan
- FC Triesen
- FC Triesenberg
- FC Vaduz (have played in the Swiss Super League since the 2014–15 season; also played in that league in 2008–09. They are the only Liechtenstein club to have ever played in the top level of Swiss football.)
All clubs in Liechtenstein play in the Swiss football league system, as Liechtenstein has no properly recognized league of its own. These clubs also compete in the Liechtenstein Football Cup, which is effectively the championship of Liechtenstein, with the winner representing Liechtenstein in the UEFA Europa League. Liechtenstein clubs do not play in the Swiss Cup, and are not eligible for qualification to European competitions via the Swiss league system.
Monaco / France
→ : Monegasque in France
- AS Monaco FC play in the French football league system (Ligue 1 since 2013–14), as Monaco does not have a professional league. They are one of the most successful clubs in France having won seven Ligue 1, five Coupe de France and one Coupe de la Ligue titles, and have also represented France in European competitions, reaching the final of the now-defunct UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1992 and of the UEFA Champions League in 2004.
San Marino / Italy
→ : Sammarinese in Italy
- San Marino Calcio play in the Italian football league system (Serie D as of 2015–16).
- A.C. Juvenes/Dogana played in both the Campionato Sammarinese di Calcio and the Italian amateur levels until the 2006–07 season. Now they play only in the Sammarinese league. Juvenes/Dogana was founded in 2000 after the merger of S.S. Juvenes and G.S. Dogana: both clubs played in Italy at the time of the merger.
The home league of San Marino was established only in 1985. Before that year, other Sammarinese teams have competed in the Italian system, though only San Marino Calcio is allowed to take part in the system and also to Coppa Italia exclusively:
- S.P. Cailungo
- F.C. Domagnano
- S.C. Faetano
- F.C. Fiorentino
- S.P. La Fiorita
- S.S. Folgore Falciano Calcio
- A.C. Juvenes/Dogana
- A.C. Libertas
- S.S. Murata
- S.S. Pennarossa
- S.S. San Giovanni
- S.P. Tre Fiori
- S.P. Tre Penne
- S.S. Virtus
Spain / France
- UE Bossòst play in the French football league system (Ligue Haute Garonne Comminges – Categorie Excellence).
- AF Les played in the French football league system (Ligue Haute Garonne Comminges) until the 2006-07 season.
Ukraine / Russia
- FC SKChF Sevastopol (formerly FC Sevastopol)
- FC TSK Simferopol (formerly SC Tavriya Simferopol)
- FC Zhemchuzhina Yalta
The three clubs are from Crimea, a territory recognized by Ukraine and a majority of countries as part of Ukraine, but have been under effective Russian control as the Republic of Crimea since the 2014 Crimean crisis. FC Sevastopol and SC Tavriya Simferopol last played in the 2013–14 Ukrainian Premier League, and were dissolved after the completion of the season. The three clubs joined the Russian Professional Football League starting from the 2014–15 season, after approval from the Russian Football Union.[7] The inclusion of Crimean clubs in Russian competitions have not been approved by either FIFA or UEFA, and the Football Federation of Ukraine have lodged a complaint.[8] On 22 August 2014 UEFA decided "that any football matches played by Crimean clubs organised under the auspices of the Russian Football Union will not be recognised by UEFA until further notice",[9] and on 4 December 2014, decided to prohibit Crimean clubs to play in competitions organised by the Russian Football Union as from 1 January 2015 and for the region to be considered as a “special zone” for football purposes until further notice.[10]
Africa
Western Sahara / Morocco
→ : Western Saharan in Morocco
- JS Massira, from the Moroccan-controlled city of El Aaiún in the disputed territory of Western Sahara, plays in Botola 2, the second division of the Moroccan Football League.
Americas
Many North American sports leagues are made up of teams from different countries—three of the four largest professional leagues have teams representing cities on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border. This phenomenon can also be seen in soccer leagues. Although foreign clubs can and do participate in leagues based in the United States, no such team is eligible to participate in the U.S. Open Cup, which is only open to teams affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation (U.S. Soccer). They are also not eligible to represent the United States in the CONCACAF Champions League. Those teams that do participate in U.S. leagues also participate in various competitions under their local federations to gain entry into the Champions League.
Antigua & Barbuda / United States
→ : Antiguan and Barbudan in the United States
- Antigua Barracuda FC played in USL Pro (the league now known as the United Soccer League) from 2011 to 2013. The team was forced to play its entire 2013 schedule on the road due to issues with its home stadium, normally a cricket ground, and folded after that season.
Bermuda / United States
→ : Bermudian in the United States
- Bermuda Hogges, before folding at the end of the 2012 season, played in the Premier Development League (PDL). The team began as a member of the USL Second Division (the effective predecessor to today's USL), but self-relegated to the PDL after the 2009 season. Many of the players appeared for the Bermuda national team.
Canada / United States
→ : Canadian in the United States
Major League Soccer (MLS) and the current North American Soccer League (NASL) are based in the United States, but occupy the top levels of both the American and Canadian soccer pyramids.
- Toronto FC have played in MLS since 2007.
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC joined MLS in 2011. A member of the USL First Division through 2009, the Whitecaps broke away from the USL to join the new NASL for 2010. However, after neither the NASL nor USL-1 received official sanctioning, they played the 2010 season in the temporary USSF Division 2.
- The Montreal Impact joined MLS in 2012. Their predecessors of the same name had played the previous three seasons in three different leagues—the USL First Division in 2009, the temporary USSF Division 2 in 2010, and the new NASL in 2011.
- FC Edmonton started playing in the new NASL in 2011.
- Ottawa Fury FC began play in the NASL in 2014, replacing a PDL team of the same name.
- Several Canadian clubs played in previous incarnations of the NASL, including:
- Calgary Boomers
- Edmonton Drillers
- Montreal Manic
- Montreal Olympique
- Toronto Blizzard (also known as Toronto Metros and Toronto Metros-Croatia)
- Toronto Falcons
- Vancouver Royals
- Vancouver Whitecaps
- The third-level United Soccer League has three Canadian teams that began play in 2015. All are official reserve sides of one of the country's MLS teams:
- Forest City London, K-W United, Thunder Bay Chill, Toronto FC Academy, Calgary Foothills FC, and WSA Winnipeg are standalone teams playing in the PDL. The Toronto Lynx (which had played in the USL A-League/First Division until 2006) also participated in the PDL until 2014. In addition, two Canadian MLS teams, the Impact and Whitecaps, previously fielded under-23 sides in the PDL. Former Canadian PDL teams include the Abbotsford Mariners, Hamilton Rage, original Ottawa Fury, and Vancouver Whitecaps Residency (replaced by Whitecaps U-23).
The top five professional clubs in Canada (Toronto FC, Montreal Impact, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, FC Edmonton, and Ottawa Fury FC) contest the Canadian Championship for the Voyageurs Cup to determine Canada's entrant into the CONCACAF Champions League.
As in the men's game, the women's soccer pyramid contains leagues that operate on both sides of the border. The current top level, the National Women's Soccer League, operates solely in the U.S., although it receives financial backing from all three North American federations (U.S. Soccer, Canadian Soccer Association, Mexican Football Federation). One of the second-level leagues, the USL W-League, had six Canadian members—K-W United, Laval Comets, London Gryphons, Ottawa Fury Women, Quebec City Amiral, and Toronto Lady Lynx at its height before folding following the 2015 season.
Haiti / Brazil
- Academia de Futebol Pérolas Negras, a team formed by Haitian refugees, will play the Campeonato Carioca Série C in 2017.
Puerto Rico / United States
→ : Puerto Rican in the United States
- The Puerto Rico Islanders played in the new NASL in the league's first two seasons of 2011 and 2012, but have not played since then and have apparently folded. The Islanders had played in the USL First Division in 2009 and USSF Division 2 in 2010. Even though Puerto Rico is a dependent territory of the United States, it has a separate football federation, the Puerto Rican Football Federation. The highest level of competition within Puerto Rico is the Puerto Rico Soccer League, which the team do not usually participate in (however, they played in the 2010 season when it was played in a shortened format). The Islanders have represented Puerto Rico at the CFU Club Championship and the CONCACAF Champions League.
- Sevilla FC Puerto Rico, Club Atlético River Plate Puerto Rico, and Puerto Rico United were initially going to play in USL Pro in the 2011 season, but were removed due to severe economic difficulties.
- A new Puerto Rican club, Puerto Rico FC, began play in the current NASL in that league's 2016 fall season (the second half of its split season).
Asia & Oceania
Australia / Singapore
→ : Australian in Singapore
- Perth Kangaroos IFC and the Darwin Cubs played in the 1994 Singapore Premier League, placing first and second, respectively.
Brunei / Malaysia
- DPMM FC played in the Malaysia Premier League in 2006, and the Malaysia Super League in 2007 and 2008.
- The Football Association of Brunei Darussalam used to enter a team in the Malaysian league.
Brunei / Singapore
- DPMM FC play in the S.League, starting in 2009, after getting kicked out the Malaysia Super League for the 2009 season (see above). They were also invited to take part in the Singapore Cup in 2007. Since the FIFA ban on the Brunei FA in 2009, DPMM FC have suspended their participation and resumed it only in 2012.
China / Hong Kong
→ : Mainland Chinese in Hong Kong
- Lanwa FC played in the Hong Kong First Division League for three seasons from 2005 to 2008. While Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China, it has its own football federation (Hong Kong Football Association) and professional league (Hong Kong Premier League).
- Sheffield United and Xiangxue Eisiti were both reserve teams of clubs based in mainland China which played in the 2008–09 Hong Kong First Division League season. However, both teams played their home games in Hong Kong.
- R&F (a reserve team of Guangzhou R&F F.C., a top-level professional club in China's Super League) play in the Hong Kong Premier League, starting from the 2016-17 season.
Malaysia / Australia
- Harimau Muda A competed in National Premier Leagues Queensland in the 2014 season, but played all their games in Australia.
Malaysia / Singapore
- As part of a two-way arrangement with the Football Association of Singapore, the Football Association of Malaysia entered an under-22 representative side, known as Harimau Muda A, in the S-League from 2012 to 2015 (in 2014 with a B-Team (see above)).
→ : Singaporean in Malaysia
- The Football Association of Singapore used to enter a team in the Malaysian league, but pulled out after the 1994 season following a dispute with the Football Association of Malaysia over gate receipts, and launched its own S.League. From 2012 to 2015, a new Singapore representative side, based around the Under-23 team participated in the Malaysia Super League and the Malaysia Cup.
New Zealand / Australia
→ : New Zealand in Australia
- Wellington Phoenix play in the A-League, starting from the 2007–08 season.
- New Zealand Knights played in the National Soccer League from 1999 to 2004 (as Football Kingz FC) and in the A-League from 2005 to 2007.
As New Zealand is a member of OFC and Australia is a member of AFC since moving from OFC in 2006, Wellington Phoenix are playing in the league of a member of another football confederation. As per agreement with FIFA, AFC and OFC, Wellington Phoenix are not allowed to participate in the AFC Champions League.[11] They also do not participate in the OFC Champions League, as New Zealand is represented by clubs from its football league, the New Zealand Football Championship. Wellington Phoenix are the only extant professional football team in New Zealand; the New Zealand Football Championship is amateur. The reserve team of Wellington Phoenix began play in the NZ Championship in 2014–15,[12] and have featured in every season since.
Foreign & Satellite teams in Singapore
Besides DPMM FC, a number of "foreign" teams have also played in the S.League. These clubs, while playing their home games in Singapore, are either satellite teams of foreign clubs or are made up exclusively of foreign players:
- Albirex Niigata Singapore FC (a satellite team of Albirex Niigata, a top-level professional club in Japan's J. League)
- Beijing Guoan Talent Singapore FC (a satellite team of Beijing Guoan F.C., a top-level professional club in China's Super League)
- Dalian Shide Siwu FC (a satellite team of Dalian Haichang, a top-level professional club in China's Super League)
- Etoile FC (made up of players of French origin)
- Liaoning Guangyuan FC (a satellite team of Liaoning FC, a top-level professional club in China's Super League)
- Sinchi FC (a team made up of players from China)
- Sporting Afrique FC (made up of players of African origin)
- Yishun Super Reds FC (made up of players from South Korea)
As of 2016, only Albirex Niigata Singapore FC play in the S.League. The foreign teams are not allowed to represent Singapore in AFC club competitions such as the AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup. Moreover, due to the presence of foreign teams in the S.League, the AFC does not allow S.League teams to participate in the AFC Champions League since 2011.[13]
In recent years, foreign clubs from other countries have also been invited to participate in the Singapore Cup.
Basketball
Andorra / Spain
- BC Andorra has played in the Spanish basketball league system since the club's formation in 1970. The club has played in the top level, Liga ACB, on two occasions—first from 1992 to 1996, and most recently since 2014.
Australia / New Zealand
→ : New Zealander in Australia
- The New Zealand Breakers have played in Australia's National Basketball League since the 2003–04 season.
- The Christchurch Sirens played in the Women's National Basketball League in the 2007–08 season.
Canada / United States
→ : Canadian in the United States
The National Basketball Association has had three teams in Canada in its history:
- The Toronto Huskies played in the Basketball Association of America, the league through which the NBA traces its history, in that league's inaugural 1946–47 season. The Huskies folded after that season, and the BAA/NBA became solely a U.S. league until 1995.
- The Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies entered the NBA in 1995. The Grizzlies moved to the U.S. after the 2000–01 season, where they are now known as the Memphis Grizzlies; the Raptors remain in Toronto to this day.
The minor leagues also have several teams:
- Toronto 3D played at the The RISE Centre in Toronto, Ontario in the IBA as an affiliate member which meant it did not compete for championships, for one season that it was in existence, 2014.
- Raptors 905 from Mississauga, Ontario, play at the Hershey Centre and were created in 2015 as a feeder team for the Raptors in the NBA Development League.
- Vancouver Balloholics formed in 2014 and based in Burnaby, British Columbia play in the ABA.
Gibraltar / Spain
→ : Gibraltarian in Spain
Basketball in Gibraltar is managed by the Gibraltar Amateur Basketball Association (GABBA). Sponsored by Grind House, Men and Ladies GABBA teams play the senior basketball league in the neighbour Spanish province of Cádiz. Grind House GABBA won the 2007/08 female championship[14] GABBA is a member of FIBA since 1985,[15] and the men's team plays biennially the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries.
Monaco / France
→ : Monegasque in France
AS Monaco Basket plays in the French basketball league system, paralleling its parent club's presence in the French football system. They have played in the top level, now known as LNB Pro A, on several occasions in their history, most recently since 2015.
Baseball
Canada / United States
→ : Canadian in the United States
In Major League Baseball, the Toronto Blue Jays have played in the American League since 1977. Also, the Montreal Expos were members of the National League from 1969 until they moved to Washington, D.C. in 2004.
In the MLB-affiliated minor leagues, the only active team is the Vancouver Canadians of the Northwest League. However, over the years there have been numerous Canadian teams playing in the U.S-based professional leagues. Among the notable teams were the Montreal Royals, for whom Jackie Robinson made his professional debut in 1946.
The U.S.-based independent leagues currently have four Canadian teams.
- Three Canadian teams play in the six-team Can-Am League: the Ottawa Champions, Québec Capitales, and Trois-Rivières Aigles.
- The Winnipeg Goldeyes began play in 1994 in the Northern League after relocating from Rochester, Minnesota. The team moved to the American Association for the 2011 season and have played in that league ever since.
Canadian football
United States / Canada
In Canadian football, the sport's professional league, the Canadian Football League, expanded into the U.S. in the mid-1990s.
- First, in 1993, the Sacramento Gold Miners joined the league.
- The following season, three more American teams joined—the Las Vegas Posse, Shreveport Pirates, and a team that eventually became the Baltimore Stallions. After that season, the Posse folded and the Gold Miners moved to become the San Antonio Texans.
- For the 1995 season, the three remaining U.S. teams were joined by the Birmingham Barracudas and Memphis Mad Dogs.
- Apart from the Stallions, which had some of the league's best attendance figures and also won the Grey Cup in 1995, the U.S. teams were unsuccessful; even the Stallions posted a modest financial loss that season. The U.S. experiment also led to tension between the American and Canadian teams. Ultimately, the announcement by Art Modell, owner of the NFL's Cleveland Browns, that he would move the team to Baltimore for the 1996 season (where it became the Baltimore Ravens) ended the CFL's foray into the U.S. All of the American teams except for the Stallions folded; the Stallions moved to Montreal to become the current version of the Montreal Alouettes.
Futsal
Andorra / Spain
- FC Andorra Futsal played in the Spanish leagues until the club's disbandment in 2013.
Ice Hockey
NHL
The National Hockey League was organized on November 26, 1917, in Montreal, Quebec, after the suspension of operations of its predecessor organization, the National Hockey Association (NHA), which had been founded in 1909 in Renfrew, Ontario.[16] The NHL immediately took the NHA's place as one of the leagues that contested for the Stanley Cup in an annual interleague competition before a series of league mergers and folds left the NHL as the only league left competing for the Stanley Cup in 1926. At its inception, the NHL had four teams—all in Canada, thus the adjective "National" in the league's name. The league expanded to the United States in 1924, when the Boston Bruins joined, and has since consisted of American and Canadian teams. However the league is now currently based in New York City, New York in the United States and US teams make up the majority of the league.
→ : Canadian in the United States
Current teams:
- Calgary Flames
- Edmonton Oilers
- Montreal Canadiens
- Ottawa Senators
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- Vancouver Canucks
- Winnipeg Jets
Former teams:
- Montreal Wanderers (1917-1918)
- Quebec Bulldogs (1919-1920)
- Hamilton Tigers (1920-1925)
- Quebec Nordiques (1979-1995)
- Montreal Maroons (1924-1938)
- Ottawa Senators (original) (1917–1934)
AHL
The American Hockey League is a feeder league to the NHL. The league offices are located in Springfield, Massachusetts, and historically has been a U.S. league.
→ : Canadian in the United States
Current teams:
- Toronto Marlies
- Manitoba Moose
- St. John's IceCaps
- The IceCaps, currently owned by the NHL's Montreal Canadiens, will move to the Montreal suburb of Laval after the 2016–17 season and will play as the Laval Rocket.
Future teams:
- The Binghamton Senators were purchased by the NHL's Ottawa Senators shortly before the 2016–17 AHL season; after that season, they will move to Belleville, Ontario and will play as the Belleville Senators.
Former teams:
- Nova Scotia Oilers (1984–1988)
- Cape Breton Oilers (1988–1996)
- Hamilton Bulldogs (1996–2003)
- Toronto Roadrunners (2003–2004)
- Edmonton Road Runners (2004–2005)
- Montreal Voyageurs (1969–1971)
- Nova Scotia Voyageurs (1971–1984)
- Sherbrooke Canadiens (1984–1990)
- Fredericton Canadiens (1990–1999)
- Quebec Citadelles (1999–2002)
North American Hockey League
→ : Canadian in the United States
The North American Hockey League is a minor hockey league in the USA. Although no foreign teams are currently in the league, several Canadian teams used to be part of the competition, all from the province of British Columbia:
- Dawson Creek Rage (2010–12)
- Fernie Ghostriders (2003–04)
United States Hockey League
→ : Canadian in the United States
The United States Hockey League is a minor hockey league in north-west USA.
- Thunder Bay Twins from Thunder Bay, Ontario played in the league between 1970–75 before transferring to the Ontario Hockey Association.
EJHL
→ : Canadian in the United States
The Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL) was an USA Hockey-sanctioned junior ice hockey league.
- Niagara Scenic (1994–1995)
CJHL
The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), an association of Canadian junior ice hockey leagues and teams.
OJHL
The Ontario Junior Hockey League has one team not from Ontario, Buffalo Jr. Sabres from Buffalo, New York. Between 1998 and 2005 Syracuse Jr. Crunch from Syracuse, New York were part of the league before leaving to join the EJHL.
BCHL
The British Columbia Hockey League has one team not from British Columbia, Wenatchee Wild from Washington.
NOJHL
The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) is a Canadian Junior ice hockey league with one U.S. team, the Soo Eagles from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan who joined in 2015.
CHL
The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canadian-based major junior ice hockey leagues for players 16 to 20 years of age. It is composed of its three member leagues, the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. For the 2012-13 season, its three leagues and 60 teams represent nine Canadian provinces (52 teams) as well as four American states (8 teams).
OHL
The Ontario Hockey League or OHL for short, has consisted almost exclusively of teams from Ontario, but currently hosts three teams from the U.S.: two from Michigan and one from Pennsylvania.
The Flint Firebirds franchise relocated several times within the state of Michigan; previous identities of that team are:
- Detroit Compuware Ambassadors (1990-1992)
- Detroit Junior Red Wings (1992–1995)
- Detroit Whalers (1995–1997)
- Plymouth Whalers (1997–2015)
WHL
The Western Hockey League or WHL for short, has a U.S. Division in its Western Conference with 5 teams:
QMJHL
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) is composed of teams mostly from Quebec, and a few teams from Ontario. However, in the past a few short-lived U.S. teams have played:
- Plattsburgh Pioneers, from Plattsburgh, New York, existed for one season in 1984.
- Lewiston Maineiacs, from Lewiston, Maine, existed from 2003-2011, before relocating to Sherbrooke, Quebec in 2012 to be the Sherbrooke Phoenix[17][18]
Austrian Hockey League
The Austrian Hockey League has several foreign teams playing in its league, and has a history of foreign team playing at various points in its history:
- Medveščak Zagreb played between 2009 and 2013 before moving to the Kontinental Hockey League
- Olimpija Ljubljana
- HK Jesenice played between 2006 and 2012
Belorusian Extraleague
The Belarusian Extraleague has had two foreign teams in its league in the past:
- HK Liepājas Metalurgs
- DHK Latgale (2008-2009 season only)
- ASK/Ogre (2008-2009 season only)
Vysshaya Liga
The Vysshaya Liga is second tier of Belorussian ice hockey.
→ : Lithuanian in Belarus
- SC Energija left the Lithuanian Hockey League after entirely dominating the competition since its creation, and after a previous spell in the Latvian Hockey League, decided to join the second tier of Belorussian hockey in 2013.
Croatian Ice Hockey League
- HDK Maribor from Maribor used to play in the league before moving back to the Slovenian Ice Hockey League.
Eredivisie
In the Eredivisie one foreign team participates in the league:
→ : Belgian in The Netherlands
- HYC Herentals from Herentals, switched in 2010 from the Belgian Hockey League to the North Sea Cup, a combined Belgian-Dutch elite league. When the North Sea Cup disbanded only two years later in 2012, it joined the Eredivisie, however continues to participate in the Belgian league too.
FFHG Division 3
The FFHG Division 3 is the lowest (fourth) division of professional ice hockey in France.
→ : Luxembourger in France
- Tornado Luxembourg from Luxembourg City joined in 2003, however, they are not eligible for the championship because they are a foreign team.
2. Divisioona
- Tallinn HC Panter apart from competing in the domestic competition the Meistriliiga, in the 2005–2006 season they participated in the Finnish 2. Divisioona, the fourth tier level of ice hockey in Finland, finishing 4th.[19]
Latvian Hockey League
→ : Lithuanian in Latvia
- SC Energija Elektrėnai (2003-2012)
- Tartu Big Diamonds (2007-2008)
Lithuanian Hockey League
- Delovaja Rus Kaliningrad
Luxembourg Cup
The Luxembourg Cup is the main and only ice hockey competition in the country, after the Luxembourg Championship was disbanded in 2003. Prior to 2003, clubs from other countries in the region were allowed to participate in the cup tournament.
→ : Belgian in Luxembourg
- IHC Louvain won the cup in the 1997-98 season
Regionalliga
→ : Luxembourger in Germany
- Tornado Luxembourg debuted in the 1987-88 season, and played in the Rheinland-Palatinat Liga, a German regional league, which they won. They then finished second in the qualification round for the Regionalliga Middle Group, and thus qualified for the 1988-89 season. They only played in the Regionalliga for the 1988-89 season, as they finished in eighth place in their group, and failed to qualify for the following season. They then played in the Rheinland-Palatinat Liga until 2005, when they joined the FFHG Division 3, the fourth level of French ice hockey.
Rheinland-Palatinat Liga
→ : Luxembourger in Germany
- Tornado Luxembourg debuted in the 1987-88 season, and played in the Rheinland-Palatinat Liga, a German regional league, which they won. They then finished second in the qualification round for the Regionalliga Middle Group, and thus qualified for the 1988-89 season. They only played in the Regionalliga for the 1988-89 season, as they finished in eighth place in their group, and failed to qualify for the following season. They then played in the Rheinland-Palatinat Liga until 2005, when they joined the FFHG Division 3, the fourth level of French ice hockey.
Slovenian Ice Hockey League
- KHL Medveščak Zagreb (2007–2009)
- KHL Medveščak Zagreb II (2009–2010)
- KHL Mladost Zagreb
- KHL Zagreb
- Team Zagreb, existed and played only in the 2010-2011 season
- KHK Red Star Belgrade
- HK Partizan Belgrade, winners 2011 and 2012
English National Ice Hockey League
→ : Welsh in England
Active teams:
- Deeside Dragons from Queensferry, Flintshire
- Cardiff Devils Reserves
- Cardiff Fire (Cardiff Devils reserve team)
Defunct teams:
Irish Hockey League
→ : Northern Irish in the Republic of Ireland
Scottish National League
The Scottish National League hosts one foreign team:
→ : Northern Irish in Scotland
MOL Liga
The MOL Liga is an international ice hockey league organized for clubs based in Hungary and Romania. The games played between the Hungarian teams count towards the Hungarian National Championship in the OB I bajnokság. The Romanian teams also compete in the Romanian National Championship Liga Naţională.
→ : Slovakian in Hungary & Romania
- HK Nové Zámky from Nové Zámky played between 2012 and 2015.
Inter-National League
The Inter-National League is an international ice hockey league that is a partnership between the national federations of Austria and Slovenia. It was created as a solution to semi-professional hockey in both Austria and neighbouring Slovenia. However, the league welcomed guest Italian teams in the past:
→ : Italian in Austria & Slovenia
KHL
Originally a Russian league, the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) was established in 2008 to rival the NHL. Since its inception, a number of teams joined the league from post-Soviet states; however in recent years other European teams have joined, and the league expanded into China in 2016.
Currently there are two foreign teams in the Chernyshev division:
- Barys Astana from Astana joined in the league's inaugural 2008–09 season.
- Kunlun Red Star from Beijing joined in 2016.
There are 4 foreign teams that play in the Bobrov Division:
→ : Belarusian in Russia
- Dinamo Minsk from Minsk joined in the league's inaugural 2008–09 season.
- Dinamo Riga from Riga joined in the league's inaugural 2008–09 season.
- Jokerit from Helsinki joined in 2014 from the Finnish Premier Hockey League
- Medveščak Zagreb from Zagreb joined in 2013 after transferring from another foreign league, the Austrian Hockey League.
- Slovan Bratislava from Bratislava, joined in 2012
- Lev Poprad founded in 2010, played and existed only for one season, the 2011-12 season, before relocating abroad and becoming Lev Praha.
There were two more foreign teams in the past:
- Lev Praha from Prague joined in 2012 after Lev Poprad was relocated. The team disbanded in 2014.
- HC Donbass from Donetsk joined in 2012 but had to cease operation due to the War in Donbass.
VHL
The Supreme Hockey League (VHL or HHL for short) is a feeder league to the KHL, however not all teams are affiliated.
- Kazzinc-Torpedo from Oskemen, joined in 2010 and acts independently.
- Saryarka Karagandy from Karagandy joined in 2012 and is a feeder team to Barys Astana.
→ : Belarusian in Russia
- Yunost Minsk played in the 2012-13 season, and its place in the Belarusian Extraleague was taken by its reserve team. Since 2012 it is a feeder team of the KHL club Dinamo Minsk.
MHL
The Russian Junior Hockey League (MHL)[20] is a major junior ice hockey league in Eurasia, founded in 2009. It currently consists of 39 teams from 7 countries.[21] Some of these teams are subsidiaries (feeder teams) for their respective Kontinental Hockey League professional counterparts, other teams are subsidiaries of teams of other leagues (VHL, BEL, PHL) and some teams don't have an affiliated team.
→ : Belarusian in Russia
- Dinamo-Raubichi Minsk joined in 2015 after moving from the Junior Hockey League Championships.
- HC Riga joined in 2010, and is a feeder team of Dinamo Riga.
- Snezhnye Barsy from Astana joined in 2011 and are a feeder to Barys Astana
MHL B
The Junior Hockey League Division B is the is the second level of the Junior Hockey League.
→ : Belarusian in Russia
- Dinamo-Raubichi Minsk played in the league between 2013 and 2015 before moving to the more senior MHL.
→ : Lithuanian in Russia
- HC Žalgiris from Vilnius played and existed only for one season, the 2014-2015 season.
- Platina Chișinău from Chișinău was founded in 2010 and continues to play to this day.
Lacrosse
Canada / United States
→ : Canadian in the United States
The National Lacrosse League, headquartered in New York City and playing the indoor box version of the sport, traces its history to a league formed in 1987, and has operated under its current name since 1998. While it was initially a U.S-only league, it expanded into Canada in 1998, and has had teams in Canada ever since.
- The league's first Canadian team was the Hamilton-based Ontario Raiders, which joined the league in 1998. The team was sold after its first season, moved to Toronto, and has played in that city as the Toronto Rock ever since.
- The Ottawa Rebel was the next Canadian team, relocating from Syracuse, New York for the 2001 season. The Rebel withdrew from the league following the 2003 season; the franchise was purchased by Edmonton interests and reactivated in 2005 as the Edmonton Rush. The team relocated to Saskatoon for the 2016 season and is now the Saskatchewan Rush.
- Three new Canadian teams joined for the 2002 season:
- The Montreal Express played only the 2002 season before folding.
- The Vancouver Ravens played from 2002 to 2004 before folding.
- The Calgary Roughnecks have remained in the league since debuting.
- The NLL returned to the Vancouver area in 2014 with the relocation of a team from the Seattle area to become the Vancouver Stealth.
Motorcycle Speedway
Czech League
→ : Slovakian in the Czech Republic
- SC Žarnovica is the only remaining speedway club in Slovakia and therefore rides in the Czech league system, having previously competed in the Czechoslovakian counterpart in the past before its dissolution.
Finnish League
- Neva Sankt Petersburg, now known as Lokomotiv Daugavpils, between 1994-2002 took part in the Finnish Extraliiga. In its last 5 years they did not finish below the podium; were 3rd 3 times (1998, 1999, 2001), once runners-up (2002), and won the Finnish title in 2000. During this time they were concurrently competing in the Russian league.
Polish Leagues
- Speedway Miskolc joined the Polish Second League in 2005.
- Lokomotiv Daugavpils joined the Polish Second League in 2005.
- SKA Speedway Lviv took part in the Polish Second League 2004 season.
Russian Leagues
- Neva Sankt Petersburg, now known as Lokomotiv Daugavpils, between 1995-2002 took part in the Russian Premier Speedway League. In their debut season 1995 they won the bronze medal, a feat they repeated in 1996, 2001 and 2002. Since 2003, after withdrawing from the Finnish Extraliiga, in which they competed concurrently, the club competed under the name Spidveja Centrs Daugavpils but without success.
- SKA Speedway Lviv after the dissolution of the Soviet Union joined the lower Russian leagues.
Netball
Australia / New Zealand
& : New Zealand and Australia
- Netball features a transnational league with extensive involvement from both countries. The ANZ Championship, with co-equal head offices in Melbourne and Auckland, has featured five teams each from Australia and New Zealand since its formation in 2008.
Rugby league
Australia / New Zealand
→ : New Zealander in Australia
- The New Zealand Warriors have competed in Australia-based rugby league competitions since 1995. In that year, the team, then known as the Auckland Warriors, became the first overseas team to compete in the Australian Rugby League. In 1997, during the Super League war, they left to compete in the Super League; with the resolution of the conflict the following year, they joined the reunified National Rugby League. The team rebranded themselves as the New Zealand Warriors in 2001.
Canada / England
The Toronto Wolfpack, a rugby league club from Toronto, have been accepted into the British rugby league system. While teams from France and Wales compete in the system, the great majority of teams are based in England, and the system is organised by the Rugby Football League, based in Leeds. The Wolfpack will start play at the third level of the system, League 1, in 2017.
France / England
Three different French teams have played in the British rugby league system:
- The first, Paris Saint-Germain, played in the first two seasons of the top-level Super League in 1996 and 1997. Due to financial difficulties, the club folded after its second season.
- Catalans Dragons, from Perpignan, have played in Super League since the 2006 season, having beaten out fellow French clubs Toulouse Olympique and Villeneuve Leopards for a licence. In their first Super League season they finished last, however in the 2008 season they finished third, entering the play-offs, where they got beat by Wigan 50-26 in the Semi finals. They have played in Super League ever since, and are now currently 12th in the all time Super League table as of 2015.
- Toulouse Olympique, from Toulouse, have played in the British leagues during two different periods.
- First, after having failed to secure a Super League licence in 2009, they were invited to play in the second-level Championship, and played in that league through the 2011 season. The club, having experienced little competitive or financial success, then withdrew from the British leagues and rejoined the French leagues.
- In 2016, they returned to the British system, this time in the third-level League 1. They earned promotion to the Championship at the first opportunity, and will play at that level in 2017.
Wales / England
Several Welsh clubs have played in the British league system.
- In the early years of rugby league, several South Wales clubs played in the RFL system.
- Aberdare was the first, forming in 1907.
- By 1908–09, five more South Wales clubs entered the system: Ebbw Vale, Merthyr Tydfill, Mid-Rhondda, Treherbert and Barry.
- However, all six of the South Wales sides folded by 1912. Only Ebbw Vale lasted as long as five seasons.
- The next Welsh side to play in RFL competitions was Pontypridd, established in 1926. The club folded the following year, having played only one full season plus eight games of their second season.
- Two different efforts to establish a Cardiff side, in 1947–48 and 1951–52, ended in failure after a single season.
- South Wales Dragons, founded in 1995, played at the RFL's second level (later split into two leagues now known as the Championship and League 1) in 1996. The club was reasonably successful on the field, but attendances varied wildly during the season. They folded when they failed to earn a Super League licence for the 1997 season.
- The Celtic Crusaders began play in 2006 in National League Two (later known as Championship 1 and since 2015 as League 1), originally in Bridgend in South Wales. They were promoted to the second-level National League One (since renamed the Championship) for 2008, and earned a Super League licence for the 2009–2011 period. In 2010, they moved to Wrexham in North Wales and rebranded themselves as Crusaders Rugby League. They folded after the 2011 season.
- The Crusaders' successor, the North Wales Crusaders, have played at the Championship 1/League 1 level since their formation in 2012.
- The South Wales Scorpions began play at the level now known as League 1 in 2009, and have remained at that level ever since. The club rebranded itself as South Wales Ironmen after the 2016 season.
Rugby union
Argentina / South Africa
→ : Argentine in South Africa
The Pampas XV, a developmental side for the Argentina national rugby union team, played in the Vodacom Cup, the second level of South Africa's domestic structure, from 2010 to 2013. The team withdrew from the competition after 2013 for financial reasons, but it was not the end of Argentina's involvement in South African rugby. Starting in 2016, an Argentine side, the Jaguares, entered the hemispheric Super Rugby competition.
Australia / New Zealand / South Africa / Argentina / Japan
,, , , : Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and Japan.
The Super Rugby competition, operated by the Sydney-based SANZAAR, a joint enterprise between the governing bodies of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and since 2016 Argentina, has six teams from South Africa, five teams each from Australia and New Zealand, and one each from Argentina and Japan.
Liechtenstein / Switzerland
→ : Liechtensteiner in Switzerland
In rugby union, there are only two clubs in the country; Lynx RC, which is based at Sportpark Eschen-Mauren, in Eschen, they used to play in the Swiss rugby union leagues,[22] and FC Vaduz Red Pride Rugby, based in Liechtenstein's capital, Vaduz.
Luxembourg / Belgium
→ : Luxembourger in Belgium
Rugby Club Luxembourg joined the Belgian second division in 1995, and remain a part of it 1998, when it earned promotion to the Belgian Elite League.[23] In 2001, the club decided to return to the French league system.
Luxembourg / France
→ : Luxembourger in France
Rugby Club Luxembourg played its first competitive game against US Castillionnaise in September 1973. Up until 1995, the club played in the Alsace-Lorraine regional league. In that year, the team joined the Belgian second division. In 2001, the club decided to return to the French league system, again playing regionally in Alsace-Lorraine. It won its division in 2008 but, after an invitation to play in Germany, decided to join the German league system in 2009.[23]
Luxembourg / Germany
→ : Luxembourger in Germany
Rugby Club Luxembourg has played in the German league system since 2009, having previously played in the Belgian and French league system, and earning promotion to the highest tier, the Rugby-Bundesliga, in 2015–16.[24] The inclusion of the club in the 2009 promotion round to the 2nd Bundesliga caused some debate in regards to its legality, as the club had not qualified through the German league system and was not a member of any of the German regional rugby federations. However, RC Luxembourg's application was declared valid in regards to the German rugby federations rules and regulations and the team finished second in the promotion round, earning a place in the 2nd Bundesliga for 2009-10.[25]
Namibia / South Africa
→ : Namibian in South Africa
The Welwitschias, a developmental side for the Namibia national rugby union team, have played in the South African domestic rugby structure on three separate occasions. The history of Namibian involvement in South African rugby predates the country's independence in 1990; when Namibia was a South African colony known as South West Africa, it regularly competed in the top South African domestic competition, the Currie Cup, from 1954 until withdrawing in 1989. After independence, Namibia began fielding a side in the Vodacom Cup in 1999, with the side initially known as Kudus before adopting the Welwitschias name in 2000. Namibia withdrew from the Vodacom Cup after the 2001 season. The Welwitschias returned to the Vodacom Cup in 2010 and 2011 before withdrawing yet again. They returned to the Vodacom Cup in 2015, after which South Africa scrapped the Vodacom Cup in favour of an expanded Currie Cup. The Welwitschias now play in the Currie Cup.
Canada / United States
- In rugby union, the Seattle Saracens currently play in competitions operated by the British Columbia Rugby Union. Since the 2015–16 season, they have competed in the BCRU's top league, the Canadian Direct Insurance Premier League.
Other
Canada / United States
→ : Canadian in the United States
- The NCAA, whose membership otherwise consists entirely of U.S.-based institutions, has one Canadian member—Simon Fraser University, which has participated in the NCAA's second level, Division II, since 2010. Simon Fraser competes in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference alongside schools in the Northwest U.S., Alaska, and Montana.
Sources
- Where's My Country? Article on cross-border movements of football clubs, at RSSSF.com
References
- ↑ Conn, David (12 November 2009). "Premier League clubs reject Old Firm but consider expansion". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
- ↑ League entry denied
- ↑ Scott, Matt (6 May 2011). "Football Association breaks Welsh jurisdiction over Cardiff and Swansea". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
- ↑ FA approves Cardiff for Uefa Cup
- 1 2 3 4 Twydell, Dave (5 November 2001). Denied F.C.: The Football League Election Struggles. Harefield: Yore Publications. p. 24. ISBN 1-85983-512-0.
- ↑ AK Allgäu 4 BFV website, accessed: 26 September 2016
- ↑ "Crimean clubs to play in Russian second division from next season". Inside World Football. 13 August 2014.
- ↑ "Ukraine crisis: Russia's claim on Crimea's football clubs". BBC Sport. 15 August 2014.
- ↑ "UEFA Emergency Panel decision on Crimean clubs". UEFA.org. 22 August 2014.
- ↑ "UEFA Nations League format and schedule confirmed". UEFA.org. 4 December 2014.
- ↑ Ad hoc Committee for Professional Clubs
- ↑ "Phoenix reserve team to play in national league". Stuff.co.nz. 22 August 2014.
- ↑ Singapore seek to pull out of ACL
- ↑ Comienza la liga senior provincial femenina (Spanish)
- ↑ GFA proposal to join UEFA, pg. 16
- ↑ The National Hockey League Official Record Book & Guide 2009 77th Edition, p. 9. New York: National Hockey League (2008)
- ↑ http://thehockeywriters.com/lewiston-maineiacs-maines-lost-team/
- ↑ http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/40565-QMJHLs-Lewiston-Maineiacs-fold-will-relocate-to-Sherbrooke-for-201213-season.html
- ↑ "HC Panter lõpetas Soome liigas neljanda kohaga" (in Estonian). Postimees.
- ↑ http://mhl.khl.ru/en/about/?ELEMENT_ID=1966
- ↑ О Лиге (in Russian). mhl.khl.ru. Retrieved 2012-05-16.
- ↑ http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&p=24981
- 1 2 RCL - a potted history RCL website, accessed: 8 April 2010
- ↑ "Rugby Club Luxembourg steigt in Bundesliga auf" (in German). L'essentiel Online. 23 May 2016.
- ↑ Karlsruhe und Luxemburg steigen in die 2.Liga Süd auf (German) totalrugby.de, published: 6 July 2009, accessed: 19 March 2010