United Kingdom

[GB] Background Briefing Paper on the "Football Broadcasting Agreements" Case Published by Office of Fair Trading

IRIS 1999-3:1/26

David Goldberg

deeJgee Research/Consultancy

The paper details the main points to be considered by the court. It describes the content of the rules and the agreements, and it sets out the Office of Fair Trading's overall position on the matter. The case, currently being heard in the Restrictive Practices Court, involves the Office of Fair Trading, the Premier League, BSkyB, and the BBC. It started on January 12, and will go on till some time during April. The judgement is expected during June. The issue concerns the validity of Football Associations' Premier League rules and restrictions, contained in agreements entered into between the League and BSkyB and the BBC. The question for the court is, do the restrictions operate in a way which is contrary to the public interest, in terms of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1976.