Scrapping 3pm blackout will make smaller clubs “suffer”, says Oxford United fan
The rule prevents live broadcasts of the traditional Saturday afternoon kick-off time
An Oxford United fan says the 3pm blackout should be kept as it will be “smaller clubs that really suffer” from more televised football matches.
The blackout is a rule that’s been in place since 1960, preventing live broadcasts of the traditional Saturday afternoon kick-off time – such as Oxford United’s away fixture against Plymouth Argyle this weekend.
Simon Hathaway, from The Fence End podcast is a U’s fan, he said: “I can't see what benefits there are, honestly, as there's plenty of live football for people to watch.”
He added: “All of a sudden people who would normally go to their local club, smaller clubs, just won’t bother.
“So, I think it'll be those smaller clubs that really suffer.
According to The Times, the blackout rule is facing mounting pressure to survive beyond the current broadcasting deals that are due to expire in the 2028-29 season.
It was originally implemented to protect match attendance at stadium and may not survive past 2028.
Mr Hathaway said: “I know people who've occasionally gone to an away game following Oxford, the game's been called off and they'll find a non-league game to go and watch.
“Going and watching a game and actually being in the ground is just something that you can't replicate on TV.”
As it stands, the United Kingdom remains the only country in Europe with the broadcasting restriction in place.
Mr Hathaway believes Oxford United will be one of the clubs impacted “simply by finances” if there is any change.
He added: “People are finding it difficult to buy tickets. It's an expensive day out and if for the cost of your monthly subscription, you can watch a Premier League game at three o’clock with your family, it's a lot cheaper than going and watching a game.”
One of the arguments for scrapping the blackout is that the number of people illegally streaming football games is something that the police are trying to crack down on.
Mr Hathaway believes that lifting the restriction on a Saturday won’t stop this, he says, “if you're going to do it illegally, I don't think you're going to stop doing it just because you can now pay for it”.
Risk of ending up like Portugal...
The broadcasting schedule has been expanded to allow some games to be televised as we now regularly see games being played on Friday evenings and Monday nights.
Tom Greatrex, the chair of the Football Supporters' Association, said in a statement: "It should come as no surprise that the erosion of a full 3pm fixture list is putting the TV blackout under question.
"The FSA supports retaining the blackout for the health of the entire game, putting that above the whims of broadcasters."
Greatrex warned English football risked ending up like Portugal, where crowds have fallen with kick-offs spread across weekends and two games rarely starting at the same time.
He added: "As so often seems to be the case, the impact on lower league and non league clubs is barely considered; the impact on match-going supporters being forced to drive as kick-off changes mean no public transport options is ignored, while claims about sustainability are bandied about by leagues and sponsors.
"Perhaps most significantly the full fixture list becoming a thing of the past, other than the final day, reduces the sporting spectacle, increases pressure on policing resources and risks the Portugalisation of our competitions.
"Any proposed changes need to properly assess those impacts too - blithely stating a desire to protect the pyramid is not enough. Actions - and inaction - speak louder than PR adviser crafted words."