Sky deal net site only attracts 10 visits

ONLY 10 people have contributed to an internet discussion forum established by the Government following the row over the FAI's sale of TV soccer rights to Sky.

The site was set up by Communications Minister Dermot Ahern to promote public discussion on the controversial 7m deal to cover all major Irish soccer internationals for the next four years.

Only 18 messages have been posted including seven from Michael Nugent, the chairman of the newly-formed sports fans umbrella organisations, Irish Fans United.

"Football is not simply a product to be sold to the highest bidder. It is part of our identity," says Mr Nugent. "The European Directive Television Without Frontiers recognises the special place sport has in our hearts and our culture.

Of course, the sports bodies will disagree with the list. That is the whole point of the legislation. It recognises that the sports bodies will try to sell out the fans, and it protects us, as fans and citizens.

Most of the responses strongly support the proposal by the Government to designate major sports events as "free-to-air" under the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) Act 1999.

A minority of contributors defended the rights of sports bodies like the FAI, IRFU and GAA to sell TV rights of their games without any Government interference.

The department's public discussion forum can be accessed on www.dcmnr.gov.ie/broadcasting/tvsports.