UEFA relaxes Euro 2008 media restrictions

European soccer's governing body UEFA said it had reached agreement with the European Newspaper Publishers' Association (ENPA) concerning media access at Euro 2008.

UEFA said it had been in talks with ENPA since last year over issues including proposed restrictions on the use of online photography and the amount of access given to non-rights holders beyond the match stadiums.

"The accreditation terms and conditions... give media more freedom to publish digital photos than originally proposed," said a joint statement issued by the two bodies.

"There will be no restrictions in reporting from non-match venues, such as training grounds or camps."

Restrictions on general media access to sporting events have led to a number of recent media boycotts. Reuters was one of several international news agencies to withdraw from coverage of India's new Premier League cricket tournament last week after organisers imposed rules on which clients could receive digital photographs.

An earlier media blackout was enforced by agencies during last year's opening test match between Australia and Sri Lanka after Cricket Australia asked the media to pay for the right to distribute photographs from the event.

Restrictions on the use of digital photography were also discussed ahead of the 2006 soccer World Cup and the 2007 rugby union World Cup although organisers later backed down.

Earlier this month, the International Olympic Committee said it would not impose any limits on the number of photos and news articles used by websites covering August's Olympics.