Euro TV rights: "The EU Court of Justice's decision distorts competition" (UEFA)

The decision made by the European Union's Court of Justice on the 18/07/2013, which allows EU states to prohibit the broadcasting of the World Cup and European Championship on pay-TV channels, "not only distorts the media market, but reduces the possibility to generate income that can then be distributed to the amateur game via solidarity payments," said UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) on the 19/07/2013.

"These are solidarity payments that allow the development of football at all levels, including women's football and introduction to football, which is crucial for the health of the sport, at the base of the pyramid," the European body added.

UEFA say they are "disappointed with the Court of Justice of the European Union for considering that the entire European Championship is of national importance, regardless of the teams that are playing in a specific match, requiring that all matches are broadcast on free channels."

FIFA also expressed its disappointment with the decision of the EU Court of Justice on the 18/07/2013: "Such a distortion of competition weakens FIFA's…