9 Sep 2008MP wades into England World Cup highlights debate

Football Leagues/ Association and Governance | Football Sponsors/ Sponsorship and Media

Labour MP John Grogan urges the government to add World Cup qualifier highlights to the list of protected events which must be shown on terrestrial television.

The debate over whether highlights of England's crucial World Cup qualifying clash against Croatia should be aired on terrestrial television has escalated further today (September 9th).

England fans are furious that Wednesday's match appears likely to be screened solely by Setanta, which paid £5 million to secure exclusive live rights.

And now Labour MP John Grogan has waded into the bitter row by accusing the Irish broadcaster - which will show all of England's away qualifiers - of 'hoarding' the rights to highlights.

There are a number of protected events which must be shown on free-to-air television, such as the Olympics, Wimbledon, the World Cup and FA Cup final.

In addition, a second tier - including the Ryder Cup, home cricket Test matches and the Commonwealth Games - must all have highlights.

There is a review planned of the list of events covered by the regulations, but Grogan has urged that it be brought forward and amended to include World Cup qualifiers in tier two at the very least.

He said: "I call upon Lord Triesman, chairman of the Football Association, to make his views known.

"I also ask [culture secretary] Andy Burnham to immediately put all football World Cup qualifiers in the category of listed events which, pending the review, would at least guarantee highlights coverage for football fans."

Setanta has responded by accusing the BBC and ITV of failing to offer them a fair price and conducting "emotional blackmail" by allowing public anger at the situation to spiral out of control.

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