Office of Fair Trading 12 March 2007 Invitation to Comment Anticipated acquisition by Sportech plc of the Vernons Football Pools business The Office of Fair Trading is considering whether arrangements are in progress or in contemplation which, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002. Should it be found to be a relevant merger situation, the OFT will further consider whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services that warrants reference to the Competition Commission for investigation and report. Affected Sector: Football pools Please send written representations about any competition or public interest issues to: Lucilia Falsarella Pereira Office of Fair Trading Fleetbank House 2-6 Salisbury Square London EC4Y 8JX Email: lucilia.falsarella-pereira@oft.gsi.gov.uk FAX: 020-7211-8916 to arrive by 23 March 2007. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange