Plug is pulled on ailing Setanta Sports

THE final whistle was blown on Setanta Sports last night, but the battle for the 190 Irish-based jobs continues after the broadcaster’s English holding company went into receivership.

The company has been hit by the loss of football television rights and went off-air in Britain just before 6pm with the loss of 200 jobs. Nineteen Irish-based jobs are also going – 15 in the media companies and four in Setanta Sport Holdings.

The move was fully expected after the company failed to meet the second of three payment deadlines last Friday for transmission rights for its English Premiership football coverage next season, and an expected rescue bid headed up by Russian financier, Len Blavatnik didn’t materialise.