Fifa / Uefa Lose Chance To Sell World Cup To Sky

[AB Editor]

"Fifa and Uefa have lost an appeal against a European ruling that the World Cup and Euro Championships must be shown on free-to-air TV in the UK.

In 2011, the European General Court said the UK could keep the events on a list of "protected" events of national sporting interest broadcast for free."

Good news all round?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23288211

[VHG]

It may not have gone to Sky.

BT Sport are starting new TV channels soon and they may have been keen to get one or both of these tournaments.

[ichkeria]

Good news.
Nice to see FIFA and UEFA standing up for the football fan against another of those pesky European courts, even if unsuccessful this time :-)

I note the following comment from "David" on that BBC website link:
"I would be far happier as well if BBC and ITV had dedicated sports channels so at least those of us who dont want to watch sport have a better choice. I thought digital TV was going to give us a lot more choice? Obviously not!"

Ok, not exactly dedicated sports channels, but presumably he's not noticed the Euro Womens' football on BBC3, the Tour de France on ITV4, or the red button at all recently :-)

[Gromit]

Isn't it typical though of FIFA. Bad enough that the Premiershit is only on subscription channels, now they were attempting to take the national team away as well. Money grabbing b*stards.

[AB Editor]

VHG - I can't think of anyone outbidding Sky for football.

[Old_Geezer]

Some events would lose out if they were pay only. Imagine a generation many of which has no access to an event that previous generations considered of value. Interest dies out, or at best reduces, and something is lost to the community. This 'pay or not get' attitude that is so pervasive these days is a sad road to go down. One should not squeeze every last drop of blood out of the stone just because one can.

[Arksided]

Good news indeed, we can all be embarrassed at our lads together, If they qualify.