MILAN, Nov 4 (Reuters) – An Italian appeals court blocked the awarding of broadcasting rights to soccer matches for two seasons to satellite operator Sky Italia, a unit of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp.

Italy’s soccer association, Lega Calcio, had awarded six exclusive packages of rights for the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 seasons in July.

The association awarded the satellite package for covering all Serie A’s matches — called “A Platinum Live” — to Sky Italia. Smaller satellite operator Conto TV went to court to oppose Lega Calcio’s decision.

Lega Calcio said in a statement on Wednesday that it was surprised by the Corte d’Appello di Milano ruling and planned to appeal.

Conto TV Chief Executive Officer Marco Crispino told Reuters the full text of the ruling would be available on Thursday. It was not immediately possible to get the court documents.

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