Their surprise was echoed by legal experts who had concluded there were few concrete reasons for blocking the deal.Observers were also surprised at the tone of the 254-page report, which was compiled after an investigation lasting four and a half months. The report is highly suspicious of BSkyB and United, concluding that promises offered by the two companies to help the deal go through were unlikely to be kept.The report appears to rule out the possibility of any broadcaster being allowed to own a football club. Mark Booth, BSkyB’s chief executive, said: “This is a bad ruling for British football clubs who will have to compete in Europe against clubs who are backed by successful media companies.”Sources in the Murdoch camp said last night its reaction was one of “disbelief rather than anger”. “We have then said, if people are concerned about this, we will agree to stand down during any TV contract talks, so we can’t see why there would be a competition issue.”BSkyB and United were disappointed but said the decision was not fatal. “Catchy, enjoyable, melodic, but overall a bit bland” Lyn Gardner, The GuardianTake A Chance…At the Prince Edward Theatre, London W1 (0171-447 5400). THE GOVERNMENT dealt a huge blow to Rupert Murdoch’s hold on sports rights yesterday when it blocked the takeover of Manchester United by British Sky Broadcasting. To the surprise of sports fans, politicians and shareholders alike, Stephen Byers, the Trade and Industry Secretary, halted the pounds 623m takeover bid after the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) ruled it anti-competitive, saying it would have an adverse effect on the wider football industry.
“Under almost all scenarios considered by the MMC, the merger would increase the market power which BSkyB already has as a provider of sports premium channels,” Mr Byers said.The ruling undermines BSkyB’s carefully thought-out strategy at a time when the company is investing heavily in its new digital satellite service.The supporters’ groups who have opposed the deal since it was announced last September were jubilant.

“The most remarkable thing is that a politician has at last stood up to Rupert Murdoch,” said Michael Crick, a broadcaster, and founder of the Shareholders United Against Murdoch group.BSkyB felt it had addressed the main objection to the takeover – that Manchester United would pass information about bids for television rights from rival broadcasters to its new parent – by agreeing that the club would withdraw from the talks.”We said at the outset that Manchester United had one vote in 20,” said Vic Wakeling, managing director of Sky Sports. What’s the Name of the Game?

Unless you’re William Hague, you’ll know it’s the musical Bjorn Ulvaeus has been endlessly promoting for the past three months – a smorgasbord of the greatest hits of Abba (below), seasoned with the story of a young girl’s quest to establish the true identity of her father on the eve of her wedding in Greece. The show’s opening neatly coincides with the 25th anniversary of that heady night back in 1974 when Abba won the Eurovision Song Contest in Brighton.
Knowing Me, Knowing Who?In her first musical, Phyllida Lloyd directs Lisa Stokke – making her West End debut as bride-to-be Sophie – alongside Louise Plowright, Hilton McRae and Siobhan McCarthy. Design is by Mark Thompson.So We Say…”Ridiculously enjoyable…

Phyllida Lloyd’s handsome production provides a terrific mood of airborne silliness” Paul Taylor, The Independent. “Catherine Johnson’s book for Mamma Mia! is rather like a jigsaw puzzle whose pieces do not fit together… audiences are left to fall back upon the songs, greeting them like long-lost friends with whom they craved to sing along” Nicholas de Jongh, Evening Standard. While some deride this as post-modern, pre-millennial delirium, in which history disappears up its own fundament, others will welcome these antique timbres into the modern sound-world.The Academy of Ancient Music’s recording of John Tavener’s music is available on Harmonia Mundi HUM907231. Although it could only ever be a small part of what we do, I’d like to commission a new work every year. What interests us is to see how someone might write for those sounds today, but we’re not interested in any kind of pasticcio.