The International League of American Football, one...

The International League of American Football, one of two international leagues scheduled to begin play next year, has folded, an official of the league said in Helsinki, Finland.

Tor Westerberg, European general manager of ILAF, blamed backers in the United States, who he said had withdrawn their financial support. The league had planned to open in April with up to 16 teams in Finland, Britain, Spain, West Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.

The NFL-backed World League of American Football is scheduled to begin play in 1991.