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Sport
David Byrom

Leeds United fans could have to pay to stream matches as Premier League urged to make change

Premier League clubs are reportedly keen to charge fans to watch matches live following the announcement that behind-closed-doors games are set to continue.

All matches on the first weekend of October will be televised but the Premier League will then consider how to allow fans to access coverage of fixtures.

The Times report that clubs accept fans need to be able to watch matches live but are keen to explore alternatives to making every game available via broadcasters.

Clubs were reluctant to allow every game to be televised in September and only relented at the last minute following controversy that the likes of Newcastle United and Burnley would not be shown on TV at all.

Leeds United's game against Fulham was also ignored by broadcasters, meaning Whites fans would have been unable to watch the first Premier League game back at Elland Road.

Yet a streaming service on club websites has been mooted, which would charge fans to watch, or give access codes to season ticket holders.

For this to happen, the Premier League would need to get the support of its domestic broadcast partners.

Clubs have asked the Premier League to look at possible alternatives to every game being televised from beyond the middle of October.

All matches on the first weekend of October will be shown live on TV, with Sky broadcasting six and BT Sport showing four.

An international break after this round of fixtures will buy the Premier League time to draw up a strategy for how to show behind-closed-doors matches.

It could well allow clubs to offset the money they are set to miss out on from matchday earnings due to a lack of crowds in games.

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