Premier League clubs are reportedly resistant to calls to broadcast every game of the new season live, something which could impact Leeds United fans.
The Football Supporters Association have urged the league to reconsider the decision not to allow every match to be shown live on TV this season, despite having done so during Project Restart.
With games taking place behind closed doors, UK-based fans will have no opportunity to legally watch matches that are shown on TV.
Newcastle United and Burnley, for example, are not being shown on TV at all in September, robbing supporters of a chance to legally see their team in action in real-time.
Whilst the FA are allowing all top-flight games to be televised, having suspended the Saturday 3pm blackout, The Times report that concerns over broadcast deals have meant clubs are hesitant to allow all matches to be shown.
A decision over the issue is likely to be taken on Thursday at a meeting of Premier League chairman, yet many clubs are said to be concerned over the financial consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.
Whilst Sky and BT Sport are ready to screen all the games for British audiences, some clubs are said to be fearful of having to pay rebates to international broadcasters if kick-off times are moved.
There is also the potential of disrupting the BBC and talkSPORT’s radio and highlights coverage.
With the Premier League having taken a strong stand against Illegal broadcasts by their reluctance to approve the takeover of Newcastle by a Saudi-backed consortium, Kevin Miles, CEO of the FSA said it is wrong to then force fans to watch matches on pirated streams.
He said: “With the clock ticking towards the start of the new season, thousands of fans are still facing the prospect of not being able to watch their team play and, for some, it will be the first they will have missed in decades.
“Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, and the Premier League, the clubs and the broadcasters need to act to help fans affected by health conditions or Covid-related capacity restrictions.
“The fear is that this will drive law-abiding fans towards illegal broadcast streams, and particularly on Tyneside the feeling is quite strong that the Premier League has put a high value on not encouraging pirate broadcasts.”
BBC reporter Dan Roan has also reported that the government have urged the Premier League to reconsider the decision not to show 160 matches this season.
A DCMS spokesperson said: “Our focus is on working with the football authorities, safety and medical experts to get fans back into stadia as quickly as possible.
“It is for the Premier League and its broadcast partners to come to an agreement on screening matches, however we urge them to follow the spirit of Project Restart and listen to clubs’ loyal fans and consider what can be achieved in the meantime.”
