Ben Foster could be forced to remove popular YouTube videos, some of which have gone on to had millions of views.
The Watford shot-stopper now faces a battle to keep his popular posts because it goes against the rules set by the English Football League.
He doesn’t have permission of the EFL to show films, which come from inside his goal during matches, as fans seek some kind of football fix whilst coronavirus lockdown as well as restrictions are in place, stopping them from being able to attend games.
The ex-England goalkeeper now hopes he is able to keep his popular content and that the authorities grants his request to use the footage on his popular channel, named ‘Ben Foster – The Cycling GK’, which has 100,000 subscribers.
The channel has used footage from four Championship matches this season so he can give an insight into what life is like in the second tier. In total, those videos have attracted over one million views and over 50,000 likes.
Foster films a huge amount, his daily routine, getting up and eating breakfast, matchday preparations, his usual banter with club officials, team mates and the opposition.
EFL Rules on Broadcasting Games state: “Filming and broadcasting footage of EFL matches is covered in the league’s governance policy. Paragraph 76.1 states:
‘No audio and/or visual footage from any match in any competition conducted by The League shall be televised or recorded or transmitted by internet, television, mobile networks, satellite or cable or any similar method except with the written consent of The League.’
EFL member clubs are given the green light to use footage from games on their own websites, that permission however and more bizarrely does not allow footballers using it on their own accounts.
Sportsmail understands the EFL view the use of the footage as ‘a misunderstanding stemming from confusion over the rules’ and the governing body is set to get in contact with the Hornets to remind them of regulation 76.1.
Foster said the use of the footage has just developed during a season in which fans are banned from stadiums.
“Fans are using this as their matchday because they cannot be in the heart of it and this is as close as they have been before,” he told Sportsmail.
He says he had not sought permission in writing, but hopes the EFL will not ban use of the material, which is edited to bleep out any swearing so it doesn’t offend anyone include the youngsters who aspire to be a keeper.
“We will have to get in touch with the EFL,” added Foster. “I hope they don’t try to shut it down. I don’t see why they would want to. It is a good news story.
“If it was controversial content that would show football in a bad light you would need to be concerned but there is nothing like that. It highlights the game in a very good light.”
Fans reacted after seeing that Ben Foster could be forced to remove his popular YouTube videos…
I’d not seen the videos before today but its a really interesting insight of a game from a goalkeepers perspective. Trust the EFL to take action
— adam (@Adz_lufc) October 29, 2020
I’d love to know what rules they break except teaching young keepers how to communicate better
— joe (@nufcrichys) October 29, 2020
@CFCJAMIE1905 was waiting for some bullshit like this to happen
— Dan (@CAFCKidman) October 29, 2020
Get a fucking grip
— Chris Kitson (@ChrisKitson79) October 28, 2020
@EFL fuck the efl
— Josh LUFC (C)? (@Josh38601472) October 29, 2020
Fuck off EFL ? he’s doing more to raise the profile of your league than all the clubs put together. #watfordfc
— Tony (@_VicarageRoad_) October 28, 2020
@EFL scum
— Wayne Richards (@RiskyRouts) October 29, 2020
What a joke that is. The EFL really aren’t helping themselves lately, letting dodgy owners manage clubs, clubs going bust, pissing around with point deductions, now this. Trying to promote the league and the EFL are once again being dicks as usual with petty pointless rules.
— Jason Lee ?? (@ForeverAYellow) October 29, 2020
And as he says in every episode, “hope this makes you feel a little bit closer,we can’t wait for you all to be back in the grounds” it’s harming zero ppl and he’s not showing anything ppl haven’t already seen #pathetic
— Lord Rob ?? ™ (@Lord_Rob83) October 28, 2020
Do the EFL seriously think people will stop Sky subscription because they can watch the highlights from a GoPro in the back of the goal ???
— David Simpson (@DASimmo) October 28, 2020
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