THE European Court of Justice has confirmed its judgement on the use of foreign decoders to show top flight football in pubs is just weeks away.
SLTN can reveal that October 4 has been set as the date it delivers a verdict which could have a huge bearing on how much bars pay to show English Premier League football. In February, the court’s legal counsel gave the opinion that the use foreign decoders should not be restricted under European law.
The forthcoming ruling relates to civil law actions brought by the FA Premier League against the use by UK pubs of foreign decoders, and to criminal proceedings brought against Portsmouth licensee Karen Murphy for using a Greek decoder.
Sky was last week criticised for giving new customers ‘free viewing’ for August under an introductory offer. It was argued loyal customers should receive discounts.
