Players may conduct mid-game interviews in clubs’ new proposal
Clubs told move is ‘critical’ to minimise size of rebates Games could be broadcast on terrestrial channels
Broadcasters would be allowed to interview players and managers during games in innovative plans being discussed by the Premier League to head off demands for money to be repaid because the season is set to be completed behind closed doors.
The Sunday Telegraph understands that the Premier League will discuss allowing more matches to be televised – potentially opening the way for some to be shown on terrestrial channels. Games would be staged at eight to 10 neutral venues across the seven weekends, and two midweeks, which have been pencilled from June 13 to July 26.
An advisory group will be set up involving four clubs, the Premier League and Sky Sports. Sky would represent the broadcasters who could, in theory, demand a rebate of £762million if the season were abandoned, with 92 matches left to play, because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Premier League fears that the broadcasters could still demand money back if – as is a condition of football restarting – the games are played without fans as this represents a different “product” to the one for which they paid the rights.
There remains a determination to “minimise rebates” the broadcasters will hope to negotiate, and to ensure that next season kicks off no later than Sept 12 so that all the fixtures can be fulfilled before the delayed Euro 2020, which starts on June 11.
The Premier League has told the clubs that it is “critical” they provide “additional content” for the broadcasters and that this is a “political requirement” from the Government to allow matches to be played.
This content is expected to include more games being shown with “broader distribution”, which suggests some will be screened on terrestrial television. However, this would need the agreement of Sky and BT Sport and could also involve season-ticket holders being given additional access or matches they can watch to compensate them and encourage them to renew.
The Premier League is considering staggering kick-off times at 12pm, 2pm, 4.30pm and 7pm on Sundays, all televised. There are currently 47 matches due to be shown in the United Kingdom – 39 by Sky and eight by BT – but more appear inevitable.
The content could involve players, including substitutes, and coaching staff being interviewed before and during matches, as well as at half-time and at the final whistle. It would be a radical move and would need the consent of clubs and managers. BT conducts ingame interviews as part of its rugby union coverage where coaches talk from the bench.
At the same time, broadcasters are already investigating how they are going to make the matches more appealing to viewers, given that they will be played in empty stadiums.
Innovations are likely to include new camera positions – such as lower and closer to the pitch to mask the fact there are no fans – and “sound capture”, which could even mean match officials being mic-ed up or crowd noise being made available to viewers.
The broadcasters will also look at how they can use music or lighting to enhance the experience, while there are different ideas being discussed as to how the games can be presented.
The ideas are expected to be presented to the clubs on May 18, which is also the date when players are due to be back in full training if, as expected, the Government announces on Thursday that restrictions are to be eased. June 13 is now emerging as the most likely restart date, although June 8 was the one originally set. Clubs are aiming for a four-week period to get players back and fit.
On Friday, the Premier League clubs agreed to play the remaining games at neutral venues, which is set to be a requirement from the Government and authorities. Players will also be tested twice a week for coronavirus, with 40,000 testing kits required.