World skating body faces European case over monopoly rules

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:12 p.m. ET

foxsports

BRUSSELS (AP) The European Commission has warned ice skating's governing body it appears to break antitrust rules by threatening speedskaters who want to compete in unauthorized commercial events.

After a yearlong investigation, the European body says it asked the International Skating Union to respond to a ''statement of objections.''

EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager says the ISU's rules seem ''not aimed at preserving high standards in sport but rather serve to maintain the ISU's control.''

The complaint was filed by two Dutch speedskaters who wanted to compete in a $2 million prize money event in Dubai outside the ISU's control.

The ISU threatened the skaters with bans from the Winter Olympics and world championships.

The Commission says its ''preliminary view is that the rules restrict the athletes' commercial freedom unduly.''