IRFU takes strong stand on TV rights

THE Irish Rugby Football Union has adopted a similar stance to the FAI, insisting it be allowed to negotiate television rights on an open market and not be tied to legislation designating certain events as protected and free to air.

There was widespread condemnation of the FAI following the deal done with Sky which will restrict access to the majority of TV viewers for the Republic's internationals.

Ironically, the IRFU recently signed a deal with RTÉ for the promotion of the game in Ireland and for television rights of the Six Nations Championship over three years. But yesterday the union made it clear it would never be tied to a closed shop environment.

A spokesman said: "What we have to define here is that the IRFU needs money to run the game. At this time, over 50% of the income we need to run the game comes from the sale of broadcasting rights, sponsorship deals and advertising.

"In that situation, it is imperative to be able to negotiate on an open market. Consider this situation if there was only one pub in the country, they would be charging a tenner a pint.

"The Irish international teams are at the top of the scale. They are right in the shop window. But that is not the end of the story, there is a huge effort being made at grass roots level in Ireland.

"A great example is in the Tallaght area in Dublin where over 3,000 kids are now playing the game when there were very few a couple of years ago.

"The Irish Rugby Football Union want to repeat this project in every other city and big town in Ireland. That all costs money.

"It is wrong to suggest the income derived from television and sponsorship rights goes to support the top end of the game."

The spokesman admitted the IRFU was happy to do business with RTÉ.

A few seasons ago Sky was seen as the saviour of rugby when they did a multi-million pound deal with the English Rugby Union. But when France and the Celtic nations rebelled at the prospects of being pushed into a similar deal, England threatened to walk away and take part in a Southern Hemisphere tournament.

However New Zealand, Australia and South Africa did not want England to join them; the remaining members of the then Five Nations competition did their own enhanced deal with terrestrial television companies and English supporters were the main losers.

Still, the IRFU and their counterparts in the now Six Nations tournament are unlikely to bow to pressure from state television companies.

"It is not on to be told you can only do business with one company. That drives down the price automatically and ultimately damages the game. A fair price and a fair deal is always what is required. That can only be achieved by negotiation on the open market," said the IRFU source.