"Sports events bind us together as a nation and it's vital, where possible, the public can watch them. It's also crucial for the development of sport that broadcasting deals represent good value for money for governing sports. The voluntary code strikes the right balance between audience and revenue." Senior barrister Charles Flint, one of a 13-strong panel of experts that will monitor a voluntary code signed by major UK sports governing bodies, including the English Football Association, that aims to keep their main events on free-to-air TV. They have also vowed to spend at least 5 percent of their TV income on grassroots projects.

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