By IANS,
London: While expected to devote their full attention at evolving a plan at the crucial summit talks meant to save Europe, the European Union leaders instead preferred watching football Thursday night, The Sun reported Friday.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister David Cameron and other leaders smuggled in iPads to watch Italy beat Germany 2-1 in the Euro 2012 semi-final, the British daily said.
Earlier, Cameron had arrived at the summit and warned Europe to keep its hands off Britain’s 3.5 billion pounds-a-year (about $5.5 billion) rebate.
He issued his “no surrender” message during the talks on plans to give Brussels one trillion euros (over $1.2 trillion) budget between 2014-20.
Cameron’s defiant stance caused an angry response from Italian Premier Mario Monti who claimed the British position was “unacceptable”.
There were fears at the summit that it would be torpedoed by deep divisions over handling the crisis. But leaders are expected to back a 104 billion pounds growth package, the report said.
The summit came as the British prime minister was rocked by a rebellion by around 100 Tory MPs, seeking a referendum on Europe.