Soccer governing body sues over player images

CHICAGO (AP) A dispute over U.S. soccer players' images has landed in federal court.

U.S. Soccer Federation Inc. filed a lawsuit against the U.S. National Soccer Team Players Association this month asking a judge in Chicago to loosen some constraints on the use of players' images.

The Chicago-based federation is U.S. soccer's governing body. The association is the union for the men's national team.

The federation wants U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall to vacate an arbitrator's decision this year that it must submit certain non-video ads with players' images for the union's OK.

The case echoes disputes involving the NCAA. A U.S. judge this year opened the door to college athletes receiving some money from sales of their likenesses and images. The NCAA is appealing.

The federation suit was filed Dec. 10.