UEFA To Mediate Talks Over Eleven's Breach Of Blackout Rules

UEFA has "diplomatically stepped into the debate" over U.K. football's traditional Saturday afternoon broadcast blackout being breached by saying that it is "in talks with the English and Spanish leagues following reports that online streaming service Eleven Sports is defying the rules," according to Andrew Warshaw of INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL. Eleven has this season been offering La Liga games at 3:15pm on Saturdays to U.K. viewers "despite a ban on the broadcasting of live football" between 2:45pm and 5:15pm. UEFA is trying to resolve the issue, which "could be construed as restraint of trade," as "delicately as possible." A UEFA statement said, "We are in contact with the English and Spanish FA on the matter even if no official complaint has been lodged yet by the English FA." Eleven is owned by Andrea Radrizzani, who also owns League Championship side Leeds United, and has the U.K. rights to Serie A (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 10/16).