RTÉ and FAI agree €5.5m soccer deal

ALL REPUBLIC of Ireland competitive soccer internationals will now be available free on RTÉ, the FAI and Communications Minister Dermot Ahern announced last night.

The announcement followed the conclusion of ongoing negotiations between the FAI and RTÉ after Government legislation listed several sporting events which must be made available to the public free of charge.

Under the deal, worth an estimated €5.5m, RTÉ have gained the Irish rights to the Republic’s games while BSkyB will retain the exclusive and non-exclusive rights to British broadcasts.