Scotland’s Nations League qualifying campaign is at risk of a broadcasting blackout just two days before Steve Clarke’s side host Poland.
Scandinavian subscription channel Viaplay agreed a contract with UEFA to televise all Scotland’s international qualifiers until 2028.
Since announcing plans to pull out of the UK last summer, however, the troubled outfit have entered negotiations with Premier Sports and BBC Scotland over sub-licensing the rights to show the national team live.
A proposal for both broadcasters to show share live coverage of home qualifiers – with Premier Sports gaining exclusive rights to beam away fixtures – remains on the table.
Mail Sport understands, however, that negotiations with Viaplay over a price have proven difficult and fraught.
And while discussions carry on in the hope of resolving the impasse, armchair fans will miss out on the first game against Poland at Hampden on Thursday night followed by Sunday’s clash with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in Lisbon barring a late breakthrough.
Scots celebrate a goal against Ireland during the previous Nations League campaign in 2022
Armchair fans face the prospect of there being no live coverage of Scotland games
John McGinn limbers up with team-mates ahead of game with Poland on Thursday
Viaplay’s relationship with Scottish football proved brief and unsatisfying. Back in July 2022 the little-known broadcaster bought over Premier Sports and rebranded the channel, snapping up naming rights to the League Cup in the process.
Last year, however, the Nordic channel confirmed plans to pay off a quarter of their staff and conduct a strategic review of their international markets, including the UK, in a quest to stem losses.
Scottish viewers could be denied chance of seeing Pole Robert Lewandowski at Hampden
Ronaldo will lead Portugal on Sunday, potentially with no TV coverage for Scots fans
Lyndon Dykes savours a goal against Ukraine in the previous Nations League campaign
Irish-based Premier promptly returned to Scottish football, buying back the rights to the League Cup and securing a 20-game package from the SPFL for £8million while teaming up with the BBC to snap up coverage of the Scottish Cup from the SFA.
Scotland games remain the last rights package Viaplay have yet to dispose of.
Outbid previously, Sky Sports have ruled out revisiting the issue, with armchair supporters now have an anxious wait to see if Premier and the BBC can secure some form of agreement before Scotland play six Pool A Nations League games against Poland, Portugal and Croatia between now and November.
