No more footy for Harlequin

A bar operator has undertaken not to show Premier League football using foreign satellite systems.

Under the threat of legal action, Harlequin Entertain-ment and its directors have agreed with the Premier League not to use any foreign satellite equipment in its bars in future. Harlequin has also provided details of where they obtained their equipment.

The Premier League has claimed the victory as a "significant win" due to the number of bars Harlequin runs, which include Idols and Blue in Newcastle, Blue, Baby Blue and Pan American in Liverpool and Idols in Swansea.

Harlequin has also paid an undisclosed sum to the Premier League as a contribution to damages and costs in respect of past screenings.

A Premier League spokesman said: "This sends a clear message to the licensed trade that the use of foreign satellite systems is illegal and will not be tolerated.

"We hope that by Harlequin Entertainment having accepted the legal position, this will encourage other licensees to stop using these illegal systems.

"We would much rather this than have to continue to pursue licensees through the courts. We will use the evidence collected through this process to target suppliers in the coming months."

In addition, on 24 October, police and trading standards officers from Conwy executed search warrants at several pubs. Foreign decoder cards and digiboxes used to broadcast Premier League football were seized from the Olde Mail Coach, Bluebell Inn, and the Links Hotel, in Conwy, and Fountains and the Llandudno in Llandudno.

Investigators from Media Protection Services attended but only to identify foreign cards.

l Satellite ruling imminent - p9