§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have had, or intend to have, consultations with any professional sport representative body in the United Kingdom about the effect of any current, or likely, European Union legislation concerned with collective noncompetitive agreements within such bodies and their freedom to conduct negotiations on matters of transmission and finance with (a) national or (b) European television broadcasting organisations. [HL1008]
§ Baroness BlackstoneThere is no specific European Union legislation on the broadcasting of sports events. The European Commission applies general EU legislation on competition and employment to sports broadcasting and commercial contracts as it does in other economic areas where such contracts have cross-border effects. The Commission has recently issued a Statement of Objections to the FA Premier League's broadcasting contract with BSkyB. The Government have not been approached in respect of this by either the football authorities or any representative body but stand ready to offer advice and support if they are requested.