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‘Something needs to change’ – Scotland games live on TV row takes a turn

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‘Something needs to change’ – Scotland games live on TV row takes a turn

THE GREEN Party has urged the Scottish Secretary to “give Scotland the gift of football” this Christmas and back the party’s campaign to have national games on free-to-view TV.

Gillian Mackay has written to Ian Murray urging him to meet with campaigners, broadcasters and the Scottish Football Association to make it happen.

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Steve Clarke’s side have ended up on Youtube latelyCredit: Kenny Ramsay
Scottish Green Party MSP Gillian Mackay wants Scottish Secretary Ian Murray to meet campaigners

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Scottish Green Party MSP Gillian Mackay wants Scottish Secretary Ian Murray to meet campaignersCredit: Getty
There's no deal currently in place

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There’s no deal currently in placeCredit: SNS

Over the past three months a hat-trick of Scotland games have been streamed online for free via Youtube – but no TV company has broadcast the latest action.

The Central Scotland MSP called for an end to the reliance on subscription streaming services and pay-to-view channels.

Ms Mackay said making the matches free would allow more Scots to watch national games, including those who cannot afford to pay to watch them.

The SNP has backed calls to make the games free to watch.

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In June, depute leader Keith Brown claimed Westminster had “failed” Scotland fans who had to pay to watch the nation play during many of the Euros qualifying matches.

The Scottish Government also announced a consultation in April into whether the games should be free to view.

Although sport is devolved, broadcasting is reserved so any changes to the rules would have to be made at Westminster.

Ms Mackay said: “Increasingly, fans are being priced out of our game.

“From the extortionate ticket prices on the gate to the endless costly streaming services to watch at home. Something needs to change.

“I am glad that so many people have joined me in calling for Scotland’s international games to be shown live on free-to-view TV.

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“Sport is meant to be for everyone, and this is the most effective way to ensure Scotland’s next generation of footballers can feel inspired to dream of playing for their country.

“We have seen that in the rise of women’s football.

“The regular TV slots have helped to make it a regular fixture for lots of women, girls and families, and has encouraged them to take up the sport, and support their local teams.

“By listing Scotland national team games as ‘national events’ in the same way that we do with the Euros and Scottish Cup Final, we could allow public broadcasters to share the rights alongside private companies such as Sky, TNT and Premier Sport.

“I hope that the Secretary of State will join this campaign and use the power and influence he has to give Scottish fans the gift of football, and make our most iconic game accessible for all, not just for those that can afford it.”

A UK Government spokesperson said: “The UK Government is keen to ensure the biggest sporting events are made available to the public throughout the UK which is why we have the listed events regime.

“While we have no current plans to review the listed events regime, the UK Government is keen to ensure sport can be accessed, played and enjoyed by as many people as possible.”

Read more on the Scottish Sun

Scotland’s next scheduled fixtures are in March with Steve Clarke squaring off against Greece in a bid to remain in League ‘A’ of Uefa’s Nations League set-up.

BY DAVID OLIVER

IT IS 10 years since Uefa changed the channel for international football.

Previously it was up to individual nations and individual broadcasters to arrange a deal to show games.

That, in the past, Scottish FA officials struck deals for Scotland games with BBC or STV.

Sky Sports had a fairly long-standing agreement to screen home qualifiers.

Often the away days were arranged separately.

Setanta and Channel 5 even had the rights to games at one stage.

But European football’s governing body did away with all of that in 2012 by seizing control of all the broadcast rights themselves, pooling to proceeds and dealing out the cash to associations.

As of 2014 the rules changed. The SFA were sidelined and which channel or broadcaster they worked with was taken out of Hampden hands.

It was proposed to provide “one point of sale for all matches,” according to Gianni Infantino.

But it has caused all sorts of issues for the Tartan Army who have faced mounting, and multiple, subscription charges to follow games.

Beyond the frustration of games going behind a paywall, it led to little-known Nordic station Viaplay approaching Uefa and winning the rights to Scotland games four years ago as they attempted to branch into the UK market.

They won – but they have since withdrawn again and no-one has picked up the recent slack – which left ITV to grab a one-off game earlier this year, then the SFA to show games on the national team’s Youtube channel.

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

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