FAI denies reports of planned new deal with Sky

The FAI has denied reports that it is planning to sell the rights to Ireland's upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers to Sky Sports.

Tabloid media reports over the weekend claimed the association wanted to sell the rights to the Euro 2008 qualifiers, as well as the qualification campaign for the 2010 World Cup.

However, an FAI spokesman has insisted that there is no truth to the claims.

He pointed out that the association had an agreement in place that would see all qualification games broadcast on RTE until 2010.

The FAI tried to sell exclusive rights to all Irish matches to Sky Sports as part of a €7.5m deal four years ago, but the Government scuppered the move by bringing in laws that required important matches to be broadcast on free-to-air television stations.