TV row leaves fans in the dark

A DISPUTE over TV rights left Israeli soccer fans frantically trying to glean information on Saturday’s World Cup qualifier with France in Paris as they were barred from watching their national team earn a goalless draw.

None of the Israeli TV channels were willing to pay the $250,000 for the clash between the Group Four favourites and Israel.

Only a small number of people with satellite dishes not connected to the officially sanctioned cable and satellite channels managed to circumvent the blackout by watching a French channel that was switched off in Israel during the match.