The Spanish regulator CNMC has urged the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to modify its proposal for the commercialisation of audiovisual rights in Spain, Europe and other international markets for the seasons 2021-24.
In statement, it says that after analysing the content of the proposal, it has concluded that the proposal, known as First RFEF, does not comply with some aspects established in the Royal Decree-Law 5/2015 that regulates the audiovisual rights of professional football broadcasting.
CNMC adds that this is the eighth prior report that the CNMC has prepared at the request of the RFEF on its marketing proposals since the entry into force of the aforementioned standard.
The regulator goes on to list the following changes to the proposal:
• Limit the powers that have been granted to “the joint commercialisation of the audiovisual rights included in the scope of this royal decree-law”.
• Eliminate the mention of the ownership of rights that are not recognised.
• Do not include commercial opportunities and obligations related to advertising that are not covered by the applicable legal norm and that are unjustified and contrary to the principle of free enterprise.
• Do not include reservations of rights, non-exclusive rights, rights included, reserved rights, other rights, etc., which are not justified.
• Reform those aspects indicated in the report that are contrary to the principles of publicity, transparency, competitiveness and non-discrimination in the process of awarding rights.
• Eliminate technical restrictions that seek to offer a lower quality product and that are not sufficiently justified.
