Labour call for more televised games

Labour has called for the Premier League to reverse its decision to block fans watching 160 games on TV next season – urging the Government to intervene if it refused.

The world’s richest league is facing a major revolt after it confirmed more than 40 per cent of matches next season would not be shown live in the UK, despite the current ban on spectators attending games.

The publication of next season’s fixtures yesterday included the announcement that more matches than ever would be broadcast domestically – 220 – but there was no provision for the campaign starting behind closed doors nor the prospect of capped attendances.

The Government ordered the Premier League to show every fixture of Project Restart live due to fans being banned from games, and supporters groups warned a refusal to maintain that policy was “a major problem” and would drive some to illegal streams.

Jo Stevens, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, told The

Daily Telegraph: “All too often the interests of fans fall to the bottom of the list. Fans make the game what it is, their needs should come first. The Premier League and broadcasters need to sort it out and Government should be playing its part.”

Labour’s call was echoed by Steve Brine, a Conservative member of the DCMS select committee, who said every top-flight match should be available to watch live.

The Government declined to comment, but a source told The Telegraph it was for the Premier League and broadcasters to agree on the televising of matches and that ministers were working hard to get fans back into stadiums from October with social distancing.