csconstantine.com

England fans can continue to watch World Cup games for free on TV – after a Fifa bid to make us pay was booted into touch yesterday.

The European Court also kicked out Uefa’s plans to make the European Championship subscription only.

Football’s governing bodies had tried to get top-level tournaments pay-per-view across Europe – arguing that live matches screened free on channels such as BBC or ITV affected their bargaining rights with TV companies.

But judges said the World Cup and European Championship were single events that cannot be divvied up at will.

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Jubilant fans yesterday declared the ruling a great victory. Football Supporters’ Federation spokesman Michael Brunskill said: “Events such as these have massive cultural importance and the idea of them being buried away on a subscription-only basis just isn’t right.

“British sport’s crown jewels, whether that’s the FA Cup final, Wimbledon or the Grand National, deserve the widest possible audience.”

The World Cup and European Championship are on Britain’s protected events list as sports of national importance. The Government yesterday said it “welcomed” the ruling. Fifa and Uefa now have two months to appeal.

Labels: Mirrorcouk, World