A Scottish MP has called for a roundtable with major broadcasters to put Scotland national team games on free-to-air TV.
Gavin Newlands MP made the call ahead of Scotland’s opening European Championship qualifier against Cyprus.
That game is being shown on Viaplay Sports, as are all of Scotland’s qualifying games.
By contrast, England’s games will be shown for free on Channel 4 and Welsh fans can watch their national side on free-to-air channel S4C.
Newlands is calling for all major broadcasters; STV, BBC, Sky, BT, Viaplay and Channel 4 plus the SFA, Scottish Football Supporters Association, and UK and Scottish Government ministers to get round the table and discuss how Scotland games can be brought to free-to-air channels.
Commenting, Gavin Newlands MP said:
“Scotland fans are continually expected to pay through the nose to watch our national game.
“This is one of the best Scotland sides we have seen in over a decade and we need to be able to inspire the next generation.
“You do not do that by putting games behind a paywall.
“During a cost-of-living crisis Scotland fans will be expected to fork out at least an extra £250 a year just to watch Steve Clarke’s side.
“Compared to other home nations too, Scotland fans are at an even more of a disadvantage.
“England fans will be able to watch of all of their games on Channel 4 and Welsh fans will be able to tune in to S4C to get their games for free.
“Watching football in Scotland is getting more and more expensive for fans as games are split across Sky Sports and Viaplay.
“I have had positive conversations previously with broadcasters about how we can come up with a solution to get Scotland games free-to-air.
“Now I am urging them, the SFA, the Scottish Football Supporters Association and UK and Scottish ministers to join me around the table and work out a solution to ensure that Scotland fans no longer need to fork out to cheer on the national team.”
