BRUSSELS, Feb 24 (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators

have paused their investigation into Liberty Media's ( LLYVB )

3.5-billion-euro ($3.7 billion) bid for Dorna Sports while

waiting for information from the companies, the European

Commission said on Monday.

The EU antitrust enforcer opened a full-scale investigation

in December, warning that the deal could push up prices for the

licensing of broadcasting rights for motorsports events hosted

by both companies.

Another leg of the investigation focuses on whether Liberty

Media's ( LLYVB ) and U.S. cable company Liberty Global's ( LBTYA )

largest shareholder, John Malone, has decisive influence over

both companies that may prompt Liberty Media ( LLYVB ) to shut out rival

broadcasters in Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands where

Liberty Global ( LBTYA ) is present.

The Commission, which had previously set a June 30 deadline

for its decision, said it temporarily halted its investigation

last Friday.

"The 'clock' in merger investigations can be suspended if

the parties fail to provide, in a timely fashion, an important

piece of information that the Commission has requested from them

within a prescribed deadline," a Commission spokesperson said in

an email.

It will set a new deadline once the companies provide the

requested information.

($1 = 0.9555 euros)