ALMR warns ECJ ruling is not a green light to start using foreign decoder cards

04 October 2011 by
ALMR warns ECJ ruling is not a green light to start using foreign decoder cards

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has warned that today's ruling by the European Court of Justice on screening football in pubs is not a green light to start using foreign decoder cards.

The case was launched by Portsmouth pub landlady Karen Murphy, who was fined for screening English Premier League matches via a Greek pay-TV decoder at 3pm on a Saturday.

In its judgement, the ECJ said that national legislation which prohibits the import, sale or use of foreign decoder cards "cannot be justified".

Kate Nicholls, ALMR's strategic affairs director, said: "We welcome the recognition by the court that the system put in place by the Football Association Premier League (FAPL) is unfair and results in publicans paying a disproportionately high price for sports broadcasting. For too long, pubs have been footing Sky's debt to the FAPL. The court is quite clear that that is not only wrong, it is anti-competitive.

"The ruling is only the start of the process, however. Whilst it clarifies what is not allowed, it will be down to the UK courts to implement and apply it in practice. There are many hoops to go through before pubs get a fairer deal - but today's judgement holds out that prospect in the future. FAPL and Sky are on notice.

"This is not a green light for pubs to start using foreign satellite services now. The ruling is clear that whilst foreign satellite cards may be imported, their use is a different matter and pubs would need permission to broadcast under any new system. This is far from clear cut and the implications will take time to feed through. In the meantime, UK law still outlaws their use - proceed with caution."

EU rules pubs and bars can show cheap foreign football coverage >>

BBPA welcomes ECJ judgement on cheap football coverage >>

By Neil Gerrard

E-mail your comments to Neil Gerrard here.

Tabletalk
Tabletalk
If you have something to say on this story or anything else join the debate at Table Talk - Caterer's new networking forum. Go to www.catererandhotelkeeper.com/tabletalk

Catererandhotelkeeper.com jobs

Looking for a new job? Find your next job here with Catererandhotelkeeper.com jobs

Blogs on Catererandhotelkeeper.com ](http://www.catererandhotelkeeper.com/blogs) Catch up with more news and gossip on all Caterer's blogs
[E-newsletters](http://www.catererandhotelkeeper.com/email-newsletters.htm)[ For the latest hospitality news, sign up for our E-newsletters
The Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email

Start the working day with The Caterer’s free breakfast briefing email

Sign Up and manage your preferences below

Check mark icon
Thank you

You have successfully signed up for the Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email and will hear from us soon!

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.

close

Ad Blocker detected

We have noticed you are using an adblocker and – although we support freedom of choice – we would like to ask you to enable ads on our site. They are an important revenue source which supports free access of our website's content, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.

trade tracker pixel tracking