The European Union's top court has ruled on something that vexes sports fans and card players alike, by saying the game of bridge is not a sport.

The European Court of Justice announced that bridge, "which is characterised by a physical element that appears to be negligible, is not covered by the concept of 'sport'", when it comes to paying taxes.

The English Bridge Union wanted a tax exemption linked to sports for entrance fees to tournaments, which UK authorities refused, claiming a sport must have a significant element of physical activity. Limiting itself to value-added tax exemptions, the court said in a statement that sports should be "characterised by a not negligible physical element".