Setanta scores own goal

There's been a bit of a spat this week over the rights to TV highlights of Fabio Capello's first two World Cup qualifying matches. They may not be shown on terrestrial television at all after the BBC and ITV claimed the price was too high. Setanta, which has exclusive rights, has accused the terrestrial broadcasters of "emotional blackmail" and trying to stir up outrage to get the highlights at a good price. Yesterday, the Setanta director of sport, Trevor East, said so far just one bid had been made. Monkey has heard why. Monkey's man in the sheepskin coat says the amount being touted for one of the games is between £750,000 and £1m. Crikey. That's a bit steep. At that price it looks as though neither the away game against Andorra tomorrow nor next Wednesday's game against Croatia in Zagreb will be shown on terrestrial television at all.