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.

Communications Minister Dermot Ahern published legislation yesterday which allows RTÉ or TV3 to apply for a High Court order directing they be allowed to carry the event subject to payment and terms where a contract with a national broadcaster is not in place 28 days before a match.

The system will also allow for an arbitrator to liaise between the parties to fix a fee to be paid by the stations for broadcasting rights.

The legislation, backed by an EU directive, will effectively overrule the controversial 7 million deal the FAI struck with Sky for exclusive live coverage of home internationals.

But the Government hit back, subsequently approving a list of major sporting events which should be available free to air, including games in the European Champions and World Cups, Rugby Six Nations and World Cup competitions and the All-Ireland hurling and football finals.

The Government insisted last night the FAI will not receive any compensation for revenue lost as a result of the Sky deal being made null and void.

Sky said it had no comment to make on the legislation.

The FAI said it would assess the potential impact the legislation would have on the financing of football in Ireland.

Investment was needed to develop the game at all levels throughout the country and any potential reduction in revenues earned by the FAI would have an impact on the sport’s future, a spokesman said.