World Cup Victory As Sport 'Remains Free'

European Union countries can keep all World Cup and European Championship games on free-to-air television.
The news comes after a high court challenge by FIFA and UEFA failed.
The football governing bodies wanted to sell the exclusive rights to most games to the highest bidder, including pay TV channels, arguing that broadcasting rights constitute a major source of their incomes.
However, the General Court of the European Union said the World Cup and European Championship were 'single events' that could not be divvied up at will.
The European General Court (EGC) has ruled that all UK football fans can continue to watch major events on free-to-air TV in future as part of the EC ruling as the World Cup and European Championships th are on the UK list of "protected" events of national sporting importance.
The EGC now says an EU member state can prohibit the exclusive broadcast of games at these two events on pay-TV and also dismissed Fifa's action against Belgium showing all World Cup matches on free-to-air TV in that country.
Fifa and Uefa had argued the current set-up interfered with their ability to sell television rights at the best price.
Uefa has said it will now study the ruling.
(BMcC/KMcA)