RTÉ secure rights to Republic of Ireland’s home matches

RTÉ have secured rights to all of the Republic of Ireland’s competitive international home fixtures for the next four years.

Described as a “very substantial and significant deal for Irish football” by FAI Chief Executive John Delaney, the agreement which also incorporates radio rights, runs to the completion of the World Cup qualifying games for the 2010 tournament.

This includes all home qualifiers for the 2008 European Championships in Austria and Switzerland, and all home qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The deal also includes any home play-off matches.

In addition, RTÉ will also have delayed TV rights to all home friendly matches.

“This is an excellent deal for the FAI, for football and for supporters of the game,” Delaney said.

“The new agreement will enable the FAI to continue a very significant programme of investment in the game in Ireland and signals a renewed and strong relationship with RTE,” Delaney added.

Neither party were willing to disclose a fee.

“The fee involved is a significant increase on the current arrangement and reflects a very strong market value and improving stature for Irish international football TV rights,” he said.

Glen Killane, RTÉ Head of TV Sport, said: “This is great news for Irish football fans. I’m delighted that we are delivering coverage of the national team in both friendly and competitive matches to the widest possible audience.

"It ensures that all of the Irish public will be able to participate in what looks like being an exciting time for the Irish national team. RTÉ are looking forward to continued partnership with the FAI in the years ahead.”

The announcement ends a period of dispute between RTÉ and the FAI following the latter’s decision to sell the rights for the team’s home internationals to Sky Sports.

In July 2002 Donnybrook bosses delivered a letter of protest to Merrion square complaining about the manner in which their negotiations on TV coverage of Republic of Ireland soccer games were broken off midstream.

Subsequent legislation put in place by the Irish Government to allow all major Irish sporting events to be shown by the RTE then forced BSKYB to change its deal with the FAI to non-exclusive.

Sky retains rights to away games, friendlies and the exclusive broadcast rights of Republic of Ireland matches in the United Kingdom.

Mr Delaney also said that negotiations for an innovative and exciting package for the domestic game are at an advanced stage.