Government forces FAI to tear up deal with Sky

IRELAND’S next football international should be broadcast on either RTÉ or TV3 as the Football Association of Ireland will be forced to tear up its exclusive deal with Sky TV.

Legislation to allow the broadcast of major sporting events on free-to-air TV will be in place in time for Brian Kerr’s first home international as manager against Albania on June 7.

The FAI is unlikely to challenge the legislation in the courts as the association is currently involved in sensitive talks with the Government on the joint development of a stadium for soccer and rugby internationals.