EU regulators accuse Telefonica of breaking merger promise

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators on Friday accused Spanish telecoms operator Telefonica of breaking a promise made five years ago to help rivals enter the German market, in return for regulatory approval for its E-Plus acquisition.

The European Commission said it had sent a statement of objections, or a charge sheet, to Telefonica, giving it until April 5 to respond to the charge.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee)