All Scotland international football matches should be free to view
The Scottish Greens have welcomed the decision by ITV to show tonight’s Scotland vs Ukraine match for free, and have called for the Scottish Football Association to work with broadcasters to allow more fans to watch Scotland games without the need to pay in the future.
The upcoming match against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday 24 September will be broadcast on Premier Sports and can only be watched via a subscription.
Gillian Mackay MSP, health and sports spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, said:
“It is great that the match will be free to view in Scotland, but that should not be the exception. All of our international matches should be free to watch, rather than fans being forced to hand over large sums for a subscription during a cost crisis, or feeling like they need to be crammed into a pub.
“If we want children to look up to our athletes or to be inspired by them then they need to be able to see them in action. Our national team should be for all of us. Far too many of our sporting events are already far too expensive for families to attend, or they are hidden behind a costly paywall.
“Like many, including the thousands of Ukrainians who have made a home in Scotland, I will be watching the game tonight. I am glad that it will be free and available to as many people as possible. That is why I am urging the SFA to make sure that the same can be said of all future matches.”