Southend iFollow fail final straw for Blues

POMPEY are to explore launching their own streaming service following iFollow’s latest embarrassing failure.

Blues chief executive Mark Catlin apologised to users and branded the latest issue a ‘line in the sand’ when it comes broadcasting the club’s games moving forward.

Fans were left fuming when the stream for the EFL Trophy clash with Southend dropped out, wiping out their only way to watch their team in action with games behind closed doors.

It follows on from a similar issue when showing the opening-day draw with Shrewsbury at Fratton Park.

The iFollow service is provided by the EFL along with their partner, Endeavor Streaming, leaving technical issues out of the club’s hand.

But Catlin knows the buck ultimately stops with the club and action needs to be taken, starting with users being offered a free stream of Pompey’s next EFL Trophy game by way of apology.

He said: ‘On behalf of Portsmouth Football Club we’d like to apologise for the disruption in the first 10 to 15 minutes of the iFollow stream. As supporters are sure aware, this is a stream we have no input in as a club.

‘It’s run by the EFL and their streaming partners Endeavor Streaming.

‘I’ve spoken to the EFL and they are as angry and frustrated as anyone by the streaming service provided by Endeavor.

‘However, the stream is badged as Pompey and I’m the chief executive, so I have to take responsibility.

‘Anyone who had a stream for the game will be given a free stream for the next EFL Trophy fixture as a sign of goodwill. For us, this is a line in the sand.

‘We’ll continue to work with iFollow this season, but this is not acceptable.’