Sky drops exclusive soccer rights

SKY television does not have exclusive rights to screen Ireland's home soccer internationals, the High Court heard yesterday.

The satellite broadcaster said it had changed its €7.5 million deal with the FAI after the Government brought in legislation to ensure that major sporting events remain on free-to-air television.

A lawyer for Sky said there was now a "non-exclusive" deal with the FAI. In a statement, RTÉ said the decision had cleared one of the main obstacles to showing Ireland's Euro 2004 qualifiers against Georgia and Albania in Lansdowne Road next month.