United accused of ‘racketeering’…by the French!
French radio stations have vowed to boycott the Manchester United v Marseille Champions League clash next month over the “exorbitant” transmission fees being demanded by the English Premier League giants. Radio France chief of sport Jacques Vendroux said United had demanded 26,000 euros from each French radio station wishing to cover the second leg of their last 16 clash at Old Trafford. He indicated that the demand, the “most exorbitant sum” he had ever heard of, was all the more bizarre because English radio stations were able to cover the first leg in Marseille on Wednesday for free when the sides played out a scoreless draw. As a result, he said Radio France and its two sister stations France Info and Radio Bleu Provence, would be joined by RTL, Europe 1 and RMC in boycotting the match on March 15.