FIFA and UEFA dispute UK listed events rules

Football governing bodies FIFA and UEFA are appealing a ruling that their major tournaments must be shown on free TV in UK.

Currently, the World Cup and European Championships are “listed events”, which means they have to be aired on free-to-air television. European authorities have ruled that the UK can have a listed events list and the football authorities are appealing the decision.

In February, the European General Court ruled that the UK could reserve the rights on a list of free-to-air events. FIFA and UEFA argue that this means they are unable to obtain the market value for the rights. The case will now be heard by the European Court of Justice.


The rights for the upcoming 2014 World Cup in Brazil have already been sold to free-to-air broadcasters the BBC and ITV.