Call for Scotland games to be free to watch on TV
HUMZA YOUSAF said he wants to convince the UK Government that Scotland’s international football matches should be free to watch on TV.
The First Minister said there will be a “consultation” as part of making the case for the men’s and women’s national team matches to be part of the list of “crown jewel” sporting events guaranteed to be free on air.
The upcoming Euro 24 tournament is free on TV like the World Cup but qualifiers for both competitions are not.
Yousaf said: “The Scottish Government is taking a further step towards making major Scotland international football matches available free- to- air, which would allow the whole country to get behind our national teams in important qualifying fixtures.
“Scots celebrated as our men’s national team charged their way on scintillating form into this year’s Euro Championships, and we’ll all be behind the women’s national team when their qualifiers get under way next month, but most Scots are blocked from watching the national team with the bulk of games shown on a pay- per- view basis.”
The First Minister said because broadcasting is a matter reserved to Westminster, the Scottish Government cannot rule on making matches free.
He added: “With the UK Government refusing to act to resolve the situation for Scotland fans, the Scottish Government will launch a consultation on the issue to help progress the campaign to ensure Scotland international qualifying matches are on terrestrial TV.
“Further evaluation work will be taken forward to understand the implications such a decision would have for rights holders, including the SFA, before the Scottish Government’s case is brought forward to the UK Government.”
He added: “Further evaluation work will be taken forward to understand the implications such a decision would have for rights holders, including the SFA, before the Scottish Government’s case is brought forward to the UK Government.”
The events that are protected with full live coverage are, the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, FIFA World Cup Finals Tournament, FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals, European Football Championship Finals, European Women’s Football Championship Finals, FA Cup Final, Scottish FA Cup Final ( in Scotland), Grand National, Wimbledon, Rugby World Cup Final, The Derby, Rugby League Challenge Cup Final.