BskyB to begin match auction

An auction for English Premier League football will begin this week when BSkyB invites bids for a package of matches.

The pay-TV broadcaster is offering eight games a season from its latest TV deal following intervention from the EU Commission.

Brussels officials ordered a restructuring of its £1bn (€1.49bn) deal with the league, which runs from next season until 2007, after describing the rights-selling process as anti-competitive.

Under the terms of the compromise, BSkyB must sub-license eight "top quality" matches to a rival broadcaster.