European antitrust officials on Tuesday raided sport media rights companies across several members states including Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox London headquarters.

The European Commission confirmed the unannounced inspections and said it “has concerns that the companies involved may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices”.

The raids are “a preliminary step into suspected anti-competitive practices” but do not mean the companies are guilty of anti-competitive behaviour, according to the commission.

Ongoing investigations are confidential and have no set deadlines for completion.

The raids come at a sensitive time as U.K. authorities deliberate on the Murdoch group’s bid to by the rest of Sky.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx