UPDATED. The London offices of Fox Networks Group have been raided as part of a series of raids being organised by the European Commission into the distribution of sports rights.
“The Commission has concerns that the companies involved may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices,” the Commission said in a statement. “The fact that the Commission carries out such inspections does not mean that the companies are guilty of anti-competitive behaviour nor does it prejudge the outcome of the investigation itself. The Commission respects the rights of defence, in particular the right of companies to be heard in antitrust proceedings.”
Commission officials were accompanied by their counterparts from the relevant national competition authorities.
There is no time limit on the investigation and officials could stay at company offices for several days.
UPDATE – The European Commission inspectors have also raided the Ziggo Sport in the Netherlands. “We have been informed that the European Commission is inspecting several media companies in Europe, including Ziggo Sport. Ziggo Sport shall cooperate fully with the Commission and shall not comment on the inspection in progress,” told spokeswoman Alexis van Liebergen to local press.
