Ahern ray of hope for fans

WHETHER or not a more level pitch is going to be provided for Ireland's home international soccer matches, still has to be decided and will be on the agenda for the Cabinet meeting next Wednesday.

What may be interpreted from yesterday's meeting between Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and the executive of the Football Association of Ireland, is that the air of pessimism permeating the country's soccer supporters may eventually be lifted.

The Cabinet still has to discuss the implications of the 7.5 million deal done between the FAI and Sky for the rights of the home matches, but a chink of light would appear to come from rather a late appraisal of an EU directive.

Tánaiste Mary Harney is supporting the view that certain sporting events should be available free to air, and therefore without extra charge to television viewers. At this stage, she would appear to have Television Without Frontiers, the 1997 EU directive to support her, an instrument which other member States have implemented to advantage through the list system.

It is a pity that the present Government had not been more alert as to the implications of the directive, which was imported into the Broadcasting Act, 1999 . Had it been, there might not have been any need for the dramatic meeting in Government Buildings yesterday. The FAI now must consider the legal reality which, it is assumed, was spelled out to them by Mr Ahern.