EU court set to rule in favour of armchair fans

European Union legal backing for the free broadcast in member countries of the World Cup and European championship has been hailed as a victory for fans.

An advocate-general at the European Court of Justice rejected appeals by Fifa and Uefa against a ruling that the matches should be open to bidding from pay TV companies.

The AG — whose formal “opinion” will now be considered by the full court before a final ruling — said national authorities had the right under European Union law to ensure “broad public access” to competitions deemed as “events of major importance for their society”.