1999年4月10日，英国贸工大臣拜尔斯宣布政府将不批准默多克收购曼联俱乐部，因为其行为有不正当竞争的嫌疑，不符合公众利益，而这将损害英国足球的利益。他们的交易将影响其他广播公司同超级联盟谈判的能力。据悉这次决定是在英国政府仔细阅读和研究了公平竞争署的报告后得出 On April 10, 1999, British Trade and Industry Minister Bears announced that the government will not approve Murdoch’s bid for the Manchester United club because its conduct is suspected of unfair competition and is not in the public interest, which will harm the interests of British football. Their dealings will affect the ability of other broadcasters to negotiate with the super-league. It is reported that this decision came after the British government carefully read and studied the report of the Bureau of Fair Competition