There is a likelihood that the Premier League will scrap the controversial pay-per-view method for matches after November’s international window.
This is following Thursday’s meeting between the shareholders on the back of protests from fans.
Clubs were forced to adopt the method in order to generate some funds as fans are not allowed into the stands due to COVID-19 pandemic.
This move is also seen as a way of urging the UK government to allow some fans to return to the stands in line with the social distancing protocol. For instance, France, Italy, and the Netherlands have allowed fans to returned to the stands in a limited capacity.
But this plan is said to have hit the rock as Europe is currently recording a second wave of the dreaded virus that has already killed over a million people globally.
It has even forced the UK Government to announce a new four-week lockdown
Premier League shareholders to decide on other means of generating money after pay-per-view protest
At the meeting, it was gathered that the shareholders will look to devise a new solution that will cover the Christmas period.
Although a decision has not been taken, discussions are said to be ongoing.
Fans have already protested the £14.95 fee. The fee is also expected to be dropped. The stakeholders might therefore adopt the model used in September when all games were shown live by the Premier League’s broadcast partners.
The attention of the Premier League was called into the protests by the fans who raised more than £300,000 for charity by boycotting pay-per-view games, which were introduced in October after clubs voted 19-1 in favour of the “interim solution”.
Meanwhile, a final decision will be made on the Pay-per-view model this week.
In a statement, the Premier League said shareholders met on Thursday “to discuss a number of important issues”, including the broadcast options for matches following the international break.
Also, an FSA spokesperson said that fans were clear in their protests which reached the ears of untouchable Premier League club owners.
“We await to see the detail of what the Premier League and its broadcasters will now offer supporters who remain locked out of grounds for the foreseeable future – they simply must come up with a solution that is affordable for all,” he added.
It was also gathered that Pay-per-view will still be used for this weekend’s fixtures, for games not selected for regular television broadcast, and whatever decision is made would come into force from 21 November and is due to last for the rest of the year.
Read the full statement from the Premier League below.
Premier League Shareholders met today to discuss a number of important issues.
Clubs reiterated that the rescue package offered to the EFL remains on the table for League One, League Two, and Championship clubs who are suffering significant COVID-19-related hardship.
The offer guarantees no EFL club need go out of business as a result of the pandemic in the 2020/21 season, and our intention is to play an active role in helping clubs return to financial stability.
The Premier League will engage directly with any EFL club suffering severe financial losses due to the pandemic, and will remain in dialogue with the EFL on this important issue.
The rescue package is on top of solidarity payments totalling £110million already advanced to the EFL this season, alongside additional financial support for youth development and community programmes.
Shareholders also discussed the broadcast options of non-UK live matches from round nine onwards following the international break later this month.
Discussions with all stakeholders are ongoing and a broadcast solution will be announced in due course.
