A TALE OF TWO COUNTRIES

‘Spanish soccer is set for a major power struggle after 12
of the nation's biggest clubs vowed to fight together for a
lucrative new TV deal.

‘A new TV deal is set to be signed prior to the start of
next season. But now a new power group is set to be formed
with a mission to defend the common economic interests of
the top clubs - among them Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico
Madrid and Valencia.

’The majority of the 12 clubs are all seeking lucrative
individual deals - with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico
already having deals signed and sealed.

’It puts them on a collision course, however, with the 30
remaining first and second division clubs who want to see a
collective sale with revenues split across all clubs.

‘There is now the danger of a messy row spilling into next
season and delaying its start.’

Meanwhile the BBC report:

‘Premier League chiefs have been urged to shake up their act
if they want to stop plans which MPs say could damage
British football.

‘The European Commission has raised concerns over the way TV
rights for matches in the English premiership are
negotiated.

‘The rights are currently negotiated between the Premier
League, on behalf of all clubs, and the television companies
involved.

‘The commission is saying this may breach competition law
because individual clubs should be able to make their own
deals.

‘But following a meeting with competition chief Mario Monti
in Brussels on Wednesday, Labour MPs said the commission
could be encouraged to accept the Premier League's
collective deal if more money went to the game's
grassroots.’