The former Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton is to help the British government decide which "crown jewels" of sport should be seen free on television there.

Athlete Steve Cram, television presenter Michael Parkinson and Irish-born Labour MP Kate Hoey will also sit on the review body charged with deciding which sporting events should be "listed".

At present, eight listed events, including the Olympic Games, the World Cup final, the Grand National, the Derby and Wimbledon, have to be shown on the free, mainstream television channels and cannot be bought exclusively by satellite companies such as BSkyB.

Tony Blair's Labour government said that it was considering extending the list after a row over the television rights to England's crucial World Cup qualifier in Italy last month. Sky was the only channel to show the game live.

Events which could be listed include the Cricket World Cup, the Rugby World Cup, the European Football Championships, the World Athletics Championships, the Ryder Cup and the British Grand Prix.

Announcing the committee, Chris Smith, the British Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said that events would have to have "a special national resonance". He also acknowledged that "sports bodies should normally be free to use broadcasting to further both the finances of and access to their sports as they judge best. These interests can sometimes conflict."

Last week, the England and Wales Cricket Board said its television earnings over the next four years could shoot up to £175 million if Test matches were delisted and opened to the highest bidder.