EUROPEAN COMMISSION AND THE FUTURE OF ENGLISH FOOTBALL

Early day motion 776, tabled 25 February 2003 by Andy Burnham (Labour/Co-operative). Signed by 78 members.

That this House notes with concern the Statement of Objection to the FA Premier League television contract issued by the European Commission; believes ending the collective selling of TV rights by clubs would benefit a wealthy few but have damaging consequences for the rest; recalls how a British court ruled in 1999 that sporting cartels could be justified if they brought other benefits in the wider public interest, such as maintaining competitive balance and wealth redistribution; congratulates the Premier League for honouring a pledge given in advance of that court case to redistribute five per cent. of future collective deals to football's grassroots; believes, however, that this has proved insufficient to maintain a healthy football structure in England and sees clubs in financial crisis when there is more money in the game than ever before; recalls how, prior to the creation of the Premier League, the old First Division redistributed 50 per cent. of income to the game beneath it; and calls on the EC to permit collective selling in return for a commitment to greater redistribution of the proceeds, of at least 10 per cent., to help the whole of English football recover its health.

Signatures by party: Labour 59, Labour/Co-operative 7, Liberal Democrat 6, Conservative 3, DUP 2, UUP 1.