The much-debated 3pm Saturday TV blackout is set to remain for the foreseeable future in the English Premier League.
Head honcho Richard Masters reckons it's going nowhere with his league, the SPFL and Montenegro the only three UEFA countries who adhere to Article 48 which allows members to impose a two-and-a-half hour slot where live coverage is not allowed. It comes with the English Football League ready to scrap the long–running rule with their TV rights up ahead of the 2024/25 season.
SPFL chief Neil Doncaster has previously stated he is keen for the existing rule of live matches in British football not being aired between 2.45pm and 5.15pm to remain in place. And Masters – speaking during a wide-ranging address – said: "We’ve been proponents of Article 48 for the entire period of the Premier League and I don’t see that changing in the near term."
His statement reinforces the message which was shared by Doncaster when he was asked last year. Broadcasters Sky air both Scottish and English top flight matches and the SPFL chief admitted he isn't expecting the rule to be rewritten north of the border in the near future.
Doncaster said: “Some games will be an exception where they will be a sell-out whether it is on TV or not, but broadly speaking. So, there is undoubtedly in the UK – and it may be different in some other countries - but undoubtedly in the UK there is a cannibalisation effect when you take a game from non-live to live on TV.
“So, there is a balance to be struck, and my belief is that the right balance has been struck. That appears to be a view that’s echoed by the vast majority of clubs.”
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