The TV shambles that has left Scotland fans being forced to watch the Nations League double-header with Croatia and Portugal on YouTube has been branded ‘a disgrace’ by a Scottish MP.
Viaplay currently hold the rights to show all Scotland matches in a deal which runs until 2028, but they scaled back their operation in the UK market last year.
The Norwegian broadcasters were able to negotiate a deal to sub-license last month’s Scotland games against Poland and Portugal, which were shown on ITV, with Premier Sports also picking up some of their club matches.
It had been hoped a similar arrangement could be found for the matches against Croatia in Zagreb on Saturday night and Portugal at Hampden on Tuesday.
But it was confirmed yesterday that the matches will only be shown on Viaplay’s YouTube channel, despite armchair supporters hoping ITV or the BBC might step in.
Some pubs will also be unable to show the game due to the need for Smart TVs and a reliable WiFi connection.
Scotland’s double-header will only be available through Viaplay’s YouTube channel
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke, speaking to Alan Irvine, has been preparing for the Croatia and Portugal double-header this week
SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell has been left powerless over the situation
Fans across the country will be left without any means to see Steve Clarke’s side go up against Luka Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo and Co over the coming days.
Branding the situation entirely unacceptable, Pete Wishart, SNP MP for Perth and Kinross, said: ‘It’s a disgrace that we’re having to go through this to watch our national side.
‘Fans are being let down and it is bordering on the embarrassing. We have to get a long-term solution.’
Viaplay declined to confirm if future matches would be sub-contracted to other broadcasters.
A spokesperson said: ‘The games will be made available on YouTube. We cannot comment any further on any potential negotiations.’
The SFA are powerless to influence which platforms games are shown on after selling rights to Scotland matches to UEFA in a £10million deal.
Alan Russell, chief executive of Supporters Direct Scotland, said that YouTube coverage ‘sounds like an awful way to showcase international football’.
He added: ‘That’s not what was put on the table when the Scottish FA signed the deal with them (UEFA).’
It will be the first time in a decade that a Scotland match hasn’t been available on TV, the last time being a friendly against Poland in Warsaw in 2014.
Scotland’s housing minister Paul McLennan MSP, a member of the Tartan Army, said he was ‘concerned’ about the matches not being shown on TV.
He said: ‘One of the big issues is making sure that the fans can watch Scotland on terrestrial TV as much as they possibly can.
‘People enjoy the passion of the commentary as well, so hopefully that will be addressed in games to come.’
