The European Commission in Brussels yesterday gave a dusty response to a plea from FIFA for soccer and other professional sports to be exempted from European Union trade and labour regulations.

In the latest clash between a sport governing body wishing to retain control over the administration of its game and the EU's determination that its regulations should apply across the board, the Commission made clear that there was no question of exemptions, or of a retrospective lifting of European Court judgments affecting player transfers.

Padraig Flynn, the Irish Social Affairs commissioner and Karel Van Miert, the Belgian commissioner in charge of EU trade competition policy rejected a call from FIFA for modifications to the European Treaty to exempt sport.

"There can be no question of professional sports being exempted . . . or attempting to sidestep rulings from the Court of Justice," their statement said.

The spat follows an attempt by soccer's governing body to secure relief from the European Court's Bosman judgment of two years ago, which gave players the right to move freely between clubs without compensation at the end of their contracts, just like workers in any other jobs sector. The judgment also lifted limitations on the number of foreign nationals who could be selected for domestic teams.

The Commission has also made it clear, following a complaint from Denmark, that it wants a relaxation in FIFA's rules over the licensing of players' agents, who currently have to deposit the equivalent of nearly £100,000 with FIFA as well as obtaining the recognition of their national soccer association before setting up business. The Commission regards this as a restraint of trade.