GERRARD: Big game should be free to air
STEVEN GERRARD believes the government and footballing authorities should have done more to make today’ s Old Firm game free to air for fans enduring coronavirus restrictions.
With stadiums and pubs closed in Scotland’s central belt, Nicola
Sturgeon expressed concerns about fans travelling to bars further afield or gathering in each other’s homes in breach of Covid-19 guidance.
The First Minister felt Sky Sports could have made ‘ a small but important contribution’ to public safety by making the derby available beyond their regular subscription or day pass services.
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster supported Sky’s right to
reject that call, but also issued a statement urging fans not to congregate to watch matches. Gerrard argues that those laying down the law should have been more active in trying to enable less well-off supporters to follow their teams from home. The Ibrox manager sees merit in some form of free access to television football for as long as areas across the UK are experiencing lockdown measures. Asked if he had a message for supporters, Gerrard said: ‘I don’t really want to get involved in this chat but, now that you’ve asked me the question, I think I will. ‘And I think I’ve got a message for different people. ‘My message to the fans is to stay safe. To all sets of fans around the world, really respect this virus and follow instructions, rules and government guidelines. I think that goes without saying. ‘But to the people that have given these fans the message to stay home and do this and do that, don’t do this, don’t do that — provide free football for the fans. ‘Not every fan has the luxury of Sky Sports and BT, our TV and Celtic TV. Not every fan has got that luxury. ‘If you’re giving them orders to stay at home, provide free football for them so they don’t go wandering to Blackpool or Derby or wherever they go to watch the game. ‘If you’re going to give instructions, at least back it up with free football for these fans.’ Asked if Sky should have agreed to the request, Gerrard added: ‘Not just Sky. The people that run football, and the governments, should make it compulsory for all the TV channels in this short space of time where there are lockdowns, tier threes and certain areas of Scotland and England where people can’t move and are told to stay in the house. ‘Provide those people with free football so they can watch the team that they love and that they give so much of their life to. Give them free football to watch.’