Government looks to EU for soccer deal help

The Government was tonight seeking clarification from the European Union about their powers to keep the coverage of Ireland’s home international soccer matches on terrestrial TV.

The move followed signals from a senior official in Brussels that the way could be open for Ireland to retain “free” television soccer, despite the Football Association of Ireland’s signing of a multi-million pound four-year deal with Sky last week.

Since news of the Sky coup was confirmed almost a week ago, there has been a continued deluge of protest from outraged fans.

Among those admitting “disappointment” at the development have been soccer enthusiast Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Sports Minister John O’Donoghue.

The Government has instructed attorney general Rory Brady to investigate Irish and European laws affecting the reservation of top sports engagements for domestic TV, and today EU official Christophe Forax claimed that a Brussels directive could save terrestrial station coverage if the government drew up a list of protected events - including the home internationals.

Mr Forax said the Government could insist that the fixtures involved were broadcast live and for free on terrestrial television - despite the FAI deal with Sky.

The chairman of the European affairs committee, Gay Mitchell, tonight said he was requesting clarification from the European Commission on the issue.

And in another move, Labour has called on Communications Minister Dermot Ahern to designate the home internationals as events which should be free to air under the 1999 Broadcasting Act.

Mr Ahern has looked forward to entering consultations with the main sporting bodies over the summer with a view to drawing up a list of top sporting occasions.

Labour's Eamon Gilmore said: “Since the FAI-Sky deal, Ministers Dermot Ahern and John O’Donoghue and the Taoiseach have all claimed that there is now nothing the Government can do to rescue these games for Ireland’s football supporters.

“That is simply not true. They can now make up for their past failure by immediately designating the games.”

MEP John Cushnahan tonight said the European Commissioner for Education and Culture, Viviane Redding, had assured him the Government could draw up a list of “protected” sporting events that had to be shown on a free service.