The board of Scotland’s champions is under pressure, facing criticism from fans and protests outside their stadium, despite a period of national dominance and strong financial health.
Recently, former player Barry Ferguson received a warmer welcome than current officials during his appearance at a match in East Glasgow, highlighting the board’s struggle to win over its supporters.
In contrast, Celtic’s hierarchy was met with affection from its notoriously demanding fans after their decision to withdraw from an agreement with the SPFL, which would have allowed Irish channel Premier Sports to broadcast 20 matches per season. By opting out, they aimed to ease the burden on fans who were already frustrated, leading to a new deal with Sky Sports to air 60 matches instead of the originally planned 48. This change also involves shifting some kickoff times away from the traditional 3 PM Saturday slot.
With annual financial statements showing a healthy £77.2 million in reserves, Celtic’s board was willing to forgo £75,000 per match, even as their rivals were open to additional revenue. Their decision to prioritize fan experience received broad support from a loyal fanbase tired of early starts and long trips just to fit television schedules.
However, the fact that today’s clash between Celtic and Aberdeen will not be broadcast live in the UK casts a shadow over the Premiership and Scottish football as a whole. This is, frankly, quite disappointing.
Celtic is in great form this season, winning all seven of their league matches, scoring 22 goals and conceding only one. They currently lead the league table closely, with Aberdeen trailing after a strong performance since the arrival of their new coach, Jimmy Thelin.
The theater fans hoping to witness this exciting match live will be disappointed; those without tickets can only watch highlights later on BBC Scotland HD.
Such a scenario would be unthinkable in the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, Italian Serie A, or German Bundesliga, where thrilling matchups like Manchester City versus Liverpool or Barcelona against Real Madrid are broadcast live to eager viewers everywhere.
This represents a missed opportunity to showcase the positives of Scottish football, attract valuable sponsorships, and ultimately increase investment in the sport amid challenging financial times. Why can’t a resolution be reached?
It is high time to seriously reconsider the Saturday 3 PM blackout rule, a relic from the 1960s when ticket sales were the primary revenue source and concerns about attendance at lower division matches were paramount. Today, only Scotland, England, and Montenegro adhere to this outdated policy.
European countries have shown that broadcasting matches during this time slot does not deter crowds; rather, it often boosts interest and increases attendance at all levels.
Tickets for today’s match between Celtic and Aberdeen are in such high demand that away supporters have quickly exhausted their quota. A live broadcast would only heighten interest and ensure a full stadium.
It is time for the Scottish Football Association (SFA) to revisit the idea of lifting the blackout. Given that fans can access any match they want through illegal streaming services, why not capitalize on this market? Removing such restrictions would level the playing field for Scottish football and help eradicate its image as a footballing backwater.
This article is originally published on footboom1.com
