Paolo Vasile, the chief executive of Spanish commercial broadcaster Mediaset, has hit out at the sales process for rights in the country covering the Uefa Euro 2016 national team football tournament.
Vasile said that the sales process had not been transparent with the CAA Eleven agency, which is selling the rights on behalf of Uefa, football’s European governing body.
Vasile called for a public auction of the rights to shine a light on the “dark” sales process.
Spain remains the only major market where a deal is not in place for this summer’s tournament in France.
Mediaset and commercial rival Atresmedia are both reported to be interested in securing free-to-air rights, but have not been prepared to meet Uefa’s asking price.
Mediaset acquired rights for the Euro 2012 tournament for €40m ($45m).