Rugby bosses await free-to-air ruling

THE European Court of Justice is to issue a ruling later this week that could impact on the controversial proposals to designate Six Nations and Heineken Cup rugby matches involving Irish teams to be shown on free-to-air TV.

The EU’s highest court will give a judgment on Thursday in a challenge by soccer’s governing bodies, FIFA and UEFA, against some EU member states for reserving the broadcasting rights of major football tournaments to free-to-air channels because they are considered to be of national interest.

FIFA is contesting the European Commission’s decision in June 2007 to approve the decision of Belgium and Britain to designate the World Cup finals for broadcast on free-to-air channels. Separately, UEFA is opposing the British government’s decision to reserve the broadcasting rights of the European Championship finals for terrestrial stations.