Our OT game should be on TV – Stoney

UNITED boss Casey Stoney has expressed disappointment over the broadcast situation for tomorrow’s Women’s Super League clash with West Ham at Old Trafford.

The Reds are playing at the stadium for the first time and will be shown live on the FA’s free streaming platform.

But Stoney’s disappointed broadcasters are not showing the match and United’s MUTV being ‘not allowed’ to do so.

She said: “I think we’ve missed a massive opportunity. Again, we’re so short-sighted in the women’s game, because we’ve used our three games for MUTV and we can’t broadcast it.

“So I’m really disappointed in that sense, that no one’s picked it up. Because the FA have been badgering and badgering about playing at Old Trafford, and now all of a sudden, we can’t show it. I am a bit disappointed.”

The FA’s agreement in terms of broadcasting WSL action is with BT Sport and the BBC. This weekend BT Sport is showing Sunday’s Chelsea v Aston Villa match, while Saturday’s City v Reading game is on the BBC Red Button and iPlayer.

Stoney also gave her thoughts on the new WSL broadcast deal announced by the FA on Monday, which will see matches shown on Sky Sports and BBC One and Two over the next three seasons. It is understood the deal is worth around £8m per season.

“I think it’s a momentous occasion for the women’s game,” Stoney said. “I think it’s an incredible occasion, I think it’s fantastic for the women’s game and I think it shows how far the women’s game has come.”