La Liga broadcasts in TV blackout ends

Eleven Sports has halted its broadcasting of Spanish league matches during the Saturday afternoon blackout period, but warned it was considering a legal challenge to the regulation.

Uefa statutes prevent live football being shown from 2.45pm-5.15pm on Saturday in the United Kingdom. Eleven Sports has broadcast two La Liga matches in the blackout period so far, but yesterday said it would cease to do so “for the time being” while warning “it is irresponsible to leave the market in the hands of criminals”.

“With the best interests of football fans at heart, we are considering all legal and regulatory options, including the referral of the case to the appropriate authorities,” Eleven Sports said in a statement.

The blackout is not subject to UK or European Union law, but the Football Association, Scottish FA and their counterparts in Montenegro apply this rule. Eleven Sports, an online streaming service owned by Leeds United majority shareholder Andrea Radrizzani, disagrees with the regulation, pointing to “piracy” where broadcasts are easily accessible online.

The Eleven Sports statement added: “We maintain our strong view that the rule, which dates back to the 1950s, is unfit for the modern, digital era.

“The blackout is one of the biggest generators of piracy in the UK. It is irresponsible to leave the market in the hands of criminals.”