Govt threatens to overrule Sky deal

The Government tonight threatened to overrule a deal between the football authorities and satellite broadcaster Sky to screen the national team’s live matches.

Communications Minister Dermot Ahern said the Government proposed to designate major Republic of Ireland home and away matches as ‘‘events of national importance’’ under European law.

The move would override a multi-million pound deal signed earlier this month between Sky and the FAI, the Government believes.

The decision, which has been attacked by the FAI, was made at a Cabinet meeting in Dublin this afternoon.

Mr Ahern said it was taken for the ‘‘common good’’ of the nation’s sports fans.

He said there would be a public consultation process on the listing which should be completed by August with a view to bringing legislation before the Dail ‘‘at the earliest opportunity’’.

If the proposal becomes law it would mean home and away matches in the qualifying and finals rounds of the European Football Championship and World Cup must be shown on terrestrial television.

Other sporting events, such as Six Nations and Rugby World Cup matches, would be similarly protected.