Sky and BT could be asked to show football for free

Sky and BT could be asked to show football for FREE should the Premier League and EFL make clubs play matches behind closed doors due to coronavirus.

The Times have reported that broadcasters will be asked to continue televising games even if they are played in empty stadiums so the banned fans are still be able to watch.

The Premier League have already stated that they would consider banning anyone over the age of 70 from attending games.

Subscription TV channels are to attend a meeting with football, tennis, cricket and rugby officials on Monday, and a request could be made to make matches free-to-air.

Yet the plan could still backfire as the concern with that is that there would be large gatherings turning out at pubs across the country instead of stadiums.

Almost 100 countries and territories have now confirmed cases totalling over 100,000. There have been 278 UK cases of the virus, two of those dying. Italy are majorly affected with there being over 7,000 cases and 500 deaths. Germany have 1,112 cases. The number of new cases in China have dropped, but the total of those who have lost their life stands at 3,119

Olympiakos have already stated their Europa League clash with Wolves is to be played behind closed doors.

Coronavirus has continued to have a huge impact on sporting events across Europe with this weekend’s matches in Serie A postponed or being played behind closed doors.

Their was confusion at Parma v SPAL when players were unexpectedly forced to wait in their changing rooms when they should have been kicking off.

#ParmaSpal match was delayed 1 minute before kick-off as Serie A faces suspension because of Coronavirus ??? pic.twitter.com/cAFP8GOydS

— Witty Futty (@witty_futty) March 8, 2020

Italian Minister for Sport Vincenzo Spadafora has supported the Football Players’ Association in their desire to suspend Serie A over the coronavirus outbreak.

The news forced the game to be suspended one minute before kick off while a final decision is discussed, the game finally got underway 75 minutes later.

The Premier League announced that players are not allowed to shake hands before kick off as is tradition, though that seemed to have been forgotten by some this weekend as TV cameras showed players doing the action after the final whistle despite being told not to.

FA: No one shake hands before the game.

Players at Full Time: ?? pic.twitter.com/5yjsujtdQK

— Ryan (@bernardooooV3) March 7, 2020

Premier League chiefs have sent letters to all 20 sides warning of the possibility of no fans in grounds to ensure the season is completed.

The EFL will also attend the meeting between football’s governing bodies, sports broadcasters and Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in London on Monday.

If playing matches behind closed doors is ordered, it is unclear how long it would last for, though if it remains in place until the end of the season, not only would be be hard hitting for lower league sides, but the playoff finals at Wembley Stadium would also be significantly affected.

Fans gave their thought to the idea that Sky and BT could be asked to show football for free…

Why are broadcasters involved with this discussion about fixtures? The only acceptable reason for their involvement would be if games are due to go ahead behind closed doors and Sky/BT Sport are asked to make watching them free to air on that basis. https://t.co/Rdz3WNr5Oe

— Bruce Wilkinson (@bwilky23) March 7, 2020

If football teams are playing games behind closed doors then they should be broadcasted to anyone meaning it’s free for sky, bt and even show it on itv?‍♂️

— Daniel Mosso (@DanRmoss91) March 6, 2020

Just read the shock and horror that Sky and BT May be forced to showcase matches for free if the games are put behind closed doors. How will the multimillion dollar media companies survive????

— October Aeowyn (@OctoberAeowyn) March 7, 2020

If the EFL today decide to play games behind closed doors why not postpone the season so fans don’t lose out? Or Sky and BT need to air them all Free to stop people meeting in pubs etc and risk spreading Corona Virus#mot #efl #sky #btsport #coronavirus

— Leeds Loyal (@Leeds_Loyal) March 9, 2020

@GMB @piersmorgan
Agree that banning fans for football matches will hurt the people who cannot afford sky / BT sport. An option that should be looked at is to give these games, free, to you and bbc. Keep the ban of not showing in public places.

— Richard Sharp (@trickyhammer) March 9, 2020

@GMB @susannareid100 if the premier league has to be played behind closed doors then sky and bt would surely have to make games free to air. And those games previously non broadcastable at 3pm Saturday would now be able to be screened.

— ĴΛY ƇᎾИИᎾŔ (@connjam) March 9, 2020

Sky and BT should show all remaining games for free to air

— Daniel Cullen (@dancullenmusic) March 9, 2020