A court case which could have profound implications for the future of English football started hearings yesterday.
The Office of Fair Trading is to argue in the Restrictive Practices Court that the FA Premier League is operating a cartel to sell its television rights, supported by BSkyB and the BBC. In the hearing, which is expected to last for three to four months, the OFT will allege that the Premier League and the two broadcasters are party to a restrictive practice which works against the public interest.
The OFT claims the Premier League should not be allowed to sell the television rights of all 20 clubs collectively, but should allow them to negotiate their own deals if they wish. It also objects to the exclusive sale of live soccer to BSkyB and highlights to the BBC.
It points out that only 60 of the 380 Premier League matches played each season are shown on television, and argues there is a market for other games to be screened on regional television or specialist channels.
The Premier League was on Monday backed by the British government's Football Task Force, which said a victory for the OFT would harm the game. The Task Force chairman, Mr David Mellor, said it would be impossible get the top clubs to give up some of their TV revenue to the lower reaches of the game if they negotiated their own deals.
That view was supported by Football Supporters' Association.
Other sporting bodies, such as the Rugby Football Union and the Football League, will be watching the case anxiously, because any decision against the Premier League would set a legal precedent for other television sporting rights.