Calls for national footie to be free on TV

An SNP MP has called for a meeting with major broadcasters to put Scotland national team games on freeto-air TV.

Paisley and Renfrewshire North MP Gavin Newlands said Scotland fans “are continually expected to pay through the nose” to watch the games while England and Wales fans can watch their teams for free.

He added that showing the matches for free would “inspire the next generation”.

Newlands made the call ahead of the Scotland men’s team’s opening European Championship qualifier against Cyprus on Saturday. That game and all of Scotland’s other qualifying matches are being shown on Viaplay Sports.

England’s games will be shown for free on Channel 4 and Welsh fans can watch their national side on freeto-air channel S4C.

Newlands has called for major broadcasters STV, BBC, Sky, BT, Viaplay and Channel 4 to meet with the Scottish Football Association, Scottish Football Supporters Association and ministers from the UK and Scottish Governments to discuss how Scotland games can be brought to free-to-air channels.

Newlands said Scotland fans shoulds not be expected to shelve out more money during the cost-of-living crisis.

He said: “Scotland fans are continually expected to pay through the nose to watch our national game.

“This is one of the best Scotland sides we have seen in over a decade and we need to be able to inspire the next generation.

“You do not do that by putting games behind a paywall.

“During a cost-of-living crisis, Scotland fans will be expected to fork out at least an extra £250 a year just to watch Steve Clarke’s side.

“Compared to other home nations, too, Scotland fans are at an even more of a disadvantage.

“England fans will be able to watch of all of their games on Channel 4 and Welsh fans will be able to tune in to S4C to get their games for free.

“Watching football in Scotland is getting more and more expensive for fans as games are split across Sky Sports and Viaplay.”