Premier League clubs to agree to allow ALL matches on TV until fans return to stadiums after huge fan backlash
PREMIER LEAGUE clubs will agree tomorrow to allow all the top flight games this month be shown live on TV.
The U-turn by the 20 clubs and League bosses follows pressure from the Government over the issue after a fan backlash prompted intervention.
Under initial plans, 17 of the opening 28 games – all being played behind closed doors – were due to be screened live, either by Sky Sports or BT.
That would have seen 11 games not being available to fans, including all three of Newcastle’s opening fixtures.
Now today’s hastily-arranged meeting of the 20 “shareholder” clubs will agree to the change in policy.
The 11 outstanding games are likely to be split between the League’s four broadcasters, including the BBC, which is expected to be offered the chance to screen one or two matches.
SunSport confirmed that the Big Six were always in favour of allowing fans to watch more live games in the current circumstances, with initial opposition led by Crystal Palace and West Ham.
The opponents were worried about the impact of free to air games on their season ticket income, while it was accepted that screening games on club websites was not viable.
However, last Thursday’s virtual meeting of the club saw a shift in positions in the wake of the Government demand for more matches to be made available while fans are locked out by Covid-19 health concerns.
Concerns that broadcasters might be unhappy and demand a further rebate on their contracts were alleviated as the TV companies told League bosses they recognised the unusual circumstances with no fans allowed in grounds.
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That, however, may change from next month with the expectation that clubs will be able to have up to 25 per cent of home capacities of supporters from October 1.
But clubs will have to agree whether the 11 extra games are screened on their scheduled dates and time-slots or moved to avoid clashes.
Sky and BT are unlikely to want to see “free” matches scheduled to clash with matches being screened on their subscription channels.
Saturday’s opening weekend features two 3pm games – Palace versus Southampton and West Ham versus Newcastle while Wolves’ Monday night trip to Sheffield United starts at the same time as Chelsea’s game at Brighton.
It is likely that the Blades’ opener will be moved forward to 6pm to avoid a clash, with other fixtures moved over the following two weekends.
But fan demands for access to all games may be ignored once the turnstiles are partially opened, with League bosses and broadcasters likely to insist that their commercial deals take precedence – just as they have always done when the Saturday 3pm “blackout” was in operation.