Portugal: debate on the legality of Benfica TV regarding FIFA regulations

The activity of Portuguese channel Benfica TV, broadcasting the home games of the Lisbon club (first division) since the beginning of the 2013-14 season and the home games of Farense (2^nd division, € 300,000 per season) could be inconsistent with FIFA's (Federation Internationale of Football Association) regulations, indicated several lawyers to the Portuguese newspaper Publico, on the 17/01/2014.

The debate focuses on the interpretation of Article 18.1 bis of FIFA's regulations on the status and transfer of players, stating that "no club shall enter into a contract which enables any other party to that contract or any third party to acquire the ability to influence in employment and transfer-related matters its independence, its policies or the performance of its teams."

If this article refers first and foremost on the contractual relationship between clubs, players and other companies, its interpretation could be extended to financial links between Benfica and other Liga Zon Sagres clubs if Benfica TV came to acquire TV rights to other teams in the Portuguese first division. With…