Euro Regulator To Investigate Premier League Rights

The European Commission is set to investigate the FA Premier League over its allocation of broadcast rights to top flight football matches in England.

The investigation follows confirmation that the EC it is opening a formal antitrust inquiry into current practices, which have failed to ensure rights are distributed to more than one broadcaster. EU regulators are now expected to issue a formal statement of objections, detailing competition concerns within the next few weeks.

The latest concern over competition laws follow an agreement by the FA in 2003 to open up its exclusive coverage deal with BSkyB, enabling other broadcasters to bid for broadcast rights. However, when none of the bids reached the reserved price BSkyB was able to reject all offers and retain the broadcast rights.

Explaining the situation, Jonathan Todd, spokesman for EU competition commissioner, Neelie Kroes, said: “We had a provisional arrangement in September 2003. We are not satisfied with the way in which [the Premier League] implemented this undertaking and I can confirm we are looking at the arrangements for 2007 onwards.

“There was an agreement that there would no longer be a single buyer. Yet there is a single buyer. We are paying attention to the way in which the rights are sold,” he added.

The latest investigation should lead to a more open system of bidding for football rights, with at least two broadcasters guaranteed to split coverage of live Premier League matches.

In competition commissioner’s investigation is a serious event for the Premier League, as in the event of non-compliance, formal competition charges can lead to heavy antitrust fines.

FA Premier League: www.premierleague.com