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High Court rules bridge is not a sport High Court rules bridge is not a sport
(about 1 hour later)
Bridge players who wanted the popular card game recognised as a sport have lost their High Court battle.Bridge players who wanted the popular card game recognised as a sport have lost their High Court battle.
The English Bridge Union had challenged a decision by Sport England not to recognise it as a sport on the grounds it does not involve physical activity.The English Bridge Union had challenged a decision by Sport England not to recognise it as a sport on the grounds it does not involve physical activity.
But Mr Justice Dove ruled against the union, dismissing its bid for a judicial review.But Mr Justice Dove ruled against the union, dismissing its bid for a judicial review.
The EBU said it was "very disappointed" and reviewing its "options for a possible appeal." The union said it was "very disappointed" and reviewing its "options for a possible appeal".
Bridge is played by four players in two partnerships. It uses a standard 52-card deck and involves betting on the number of tricks each side will win.Bridge is played by four players in two partnerships. It uses a standard 52-card deck and involves betting on the number of tricks each side will win.
'Erred in law''Erred in law'
The EBU had wanted Sport England to reclassify the game, which would have made it eligible for government and lottery funding. The English Bridge Union (EBU) had wanted Sport England to reclassify the game, which would have made it eligible for government and lottery funding.
It had previously claimed the ordinary and natural meaning of "sport" in the 1996 Royal Charter, which established Sport England, was sufficiently broad so as to not necessarily require physical activity. It had claimed the ordinary and natural meaning of "sport" in the 1996 Royal Charter, which established Sport England, was sufficiently broad so as to not necessarily require physical activity.
But the judge said Sport England's current policy defined sport as involving "physical activity" and its move to reject reclassification was in line with legalisation. The international game of bridge
He said the issue he had considered was whether Sport England officials had "erred in law" when refusing to classify bridge as a sport, not the "broad, somewhat philosophical question" as to whether or not bridge "is a sport". Lawyers told the High Court the game was based on rules, fairness and competition like other sports and was available to older people, to whom it brought a sense of inclusion and community.
But the judge said Sport England's current policy defined sport as involving "physical activity" and its move to reject reclassification of bridge was right.
The issue he had considered was whether Sport England officials had "erred in law" when refusing to classify bridge as a sport, the judge said, not the "broad, somewhat philosophical question" as to whether or not bridge "is a sport".
During the case Sport England had argued bridge was no more of a sporting activity than "sitting at home, reading a book".
The EBU's legal representative Alex Peebles said: "We are very disappointed and feel that we put forward a strong case."The EBU's legal representative Alex Peebles said: "We are very disappointed and feel that we put forward a strong case."