Premier League could ABANDON £14.95 PPV matches with clubs meeting tomorrow to discuss

Premier League could ABANDON pay-per-view matches, with clubs meeting on Tuesday to discuss whether they will continue into next month after fans railed against £14.95 charge

  • Decision on whether some matches will be pay-per-view to be made on Tuesday 
  • Fans’ groups urged Premier League and broadcasters to reconsider the pricing
  • Fans could watch via Sky Sports’ or BT Sport’s box office services at £14.95 each 
  • But many are now boycotting PPV, and broadcasters fear reputational damage 

Premier League clubs are set to decide on Tuesday whether or not to stick with their controversial pay-per-view arrangements for the round of games prior to the November international break.

Matches played after this month’s internationals which were not selected for regular television broadcast were made available on a pay-per-view basis via Sky Sports’ or BT Sport’s box office services at £14.95 each.

Fans’ groups including the Football Supporters’ Association urged the league and the broadcaster to reconsider the pricing.

Premier League clubs are set to decide on Tuesday whether or not to stick with their controversial pay-per-view arrangements for the round of games prior to international break

The scheme has been widely criticised by fans for a variety of reasons, from a lack of analysis coverage in the service to the idea of forking out even more money for TV football subscriptions this season. 

Many supporters have opted to donate money to food banks and other charitable causes instead of paying the fee.

The move comes following reports both Sky Sports and BT Sport were open to scrapping the pay-per-view scheme, claiming it is ‘damaging their reputations’.

Liverpool fans stepped up their TV boycott on Saturday as the Spirit of Shankly group raised £81,000 from fans donating the £14.95 fee they would have paid to Sky Sports box office for the game by the time Jurgen Klopp’s side had kicked off against Sheffield United.

Some top-flight matches have been made available on a pay-per-view basis at £14.95 each

 Some top-flight matches have been made available on a pay-per-view basis at £14.95 each

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said earlier this month the price was ‘defensible’ while BT Sport said it was simply covering its costs in screening these matches.

But the top-flight clubs will be under pressure to look again at the pricing, with a decision set to be taken on Tuesday about what broadcast arrangements to put in place for the matches being played between November 6 and 8.

Premier League clubs had hoped to welcome back some supporters to stadiums from October 1, but the Government has imposed an indefinite delay on those plans due to the rise in coronavirus cases nationwide.

The league has warned that English football will lose £100million for every month fans remain barred from grounds, with the EFL stating on Sunday that the Government’s position was ‘frustrating and perplexing’, with indoor venues such as shopping centres and cinemas open to the public.

Liverpool fans boycotted Sky Sports' Box Office broadcast of their match with Sheffield United

Liverpool fans boycotted Sky Sports’ Box Office broadcast of their match with Sheffield United

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