The European Parliament has adopted proposals to adapt EU policies and rules so they take account of the specific needs of sport.

Labour MEPs are calling for EU competition rules to be interpreted flexibly to allow television coverage of sporting events of major importance, such as the football World Cup, the Ashes and golf's Ryder Cup, to be reserved for free-to-air television.

Richard Corbett MEP, Labour's spokesperson for sport, is calling on all member states to draw up a list of such events.

Richard Corbett said: "In order to encourage the next generation of youngsters to pick up a cricket bat or golf club we have to ensure the finest, most exciting sporting events are available to view for all on free-to-air television. The loss of Test match cricket to pay television has deprived millions of youngsters of the opportunity to watch England 's attempt to regain the Ashes urn next year."

"Football should not merely be a financial contest"

Labour MEPs are also calling on football clubs to increase investment in youth training and are backing UEFA's efforts in requiring clubs to have a third of their squad composed of "home-grown" players - a far better scheme than FIFA's crude 6+5 nationality requirement, which would be illegal under European law.

Richard said: "Every club - even the big ones - must accept some responsibility for training and not rely solely on their financial muscle in the transfer market to acquire players who were trained by others. Football should not be merely a financial contest."

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