French radio to boycott United

PARIS - French radio stations have vowed to boycott the Manchester United versus Marseille Champions League clash next month over the "exorbitant" transmission fees being demanded by the English Premier League giant.

Radio France Chief of Sport Jacques Vendroux said United had demanded 26,000 euros ($35,750) from each French radio station wishing to cover the second leg of their last-16 clash at Old Trafford.

He indicated 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 to a scoreless draw.