Plaid welcome football tv review
Welsh Football fans may get to see the National team’s games on terrestrial television in future campaigns, following the confirmation that the UK Government is to review the list of sports guaranteed to be shown on free to view television.
Of Wales’ current World Cup 2010 Qualifying campaign, 8 of the 10 games are to be shown on non-terrestrial channels such as Setanta and Sky – a situation which Plaid’s Dr. Dai Lloyd AM feels is unfair.
Under Part 4 of the Broadcasting Act 1996, live free-to-air terrestrial coverage of Welsh participation in the finals in South Africa is protected by law. However, the law does not extend to protecting free coverage of the qualifying matches.
Dr. Lloyd wrote to the UK Government in September calling for an extension of the current Broadcasting Act, and the eventual devolution of broadcasting to the National Assembly.
Stephen Carter, UK Minister for Communications, Technology and Broadcasting, has now written to Dr. Lloyd confirming that a review is to be undertaken of those sports protected by law.
Dr. Lloyd stated:
“The Welsh public should have the right to see their national team play a 100% of the time not 20%. Gordon Brown’s push to create a 2012 GB Olympic Football Team will seriously endanger the existence of the Welsh football team, so it’s even more important than ever that the Welsh public have a chance to see their team in action.
“Sport has the magical ability to bind people together. It is a pillar of our national life.“I am glad that the UK Government has agreed to review the list of sports protected by law. It is imperative that the review, led by former Football Association Executive Director David Davies, takes in the views of the devolved nations before reaching any conclusions in the second half of 2009.
“I do hope that the ‘One Wales’ Government’s Sports Minister, Plaid’s Alun Ffred Jones will be asked for his views on this important matter.”
