Italian government steps into TV rights row

Italy's communications minister Mario Landolfi told Serie A clubs and television networks to find a compromise yesterday and resolve a row about TV rights that has threatened the competition.

Fourteen Serie A sides had threatened to boycott matches against Juventus, Milan and Inter in a multi-million euro dispute about how clubs sell their broadcast rights.

Landolfi, after a three-hour meeting with soccer and television chiefs, told a news conference he had told those involved to use their good sense to broker a deal.

"Those in charge of soccer and television have been urged to find a solution that guarantees the championship and fulfils the needs of the broadcasters," Landolfi said.

Clubs, led by Fiorentina owner Diego Della Valle, had demanded a return to collective bargaining with the aim of spreading television revenue more equally among the division's 20 teams.