Ensuring Scotland games are on free-to-air TV is issue for broadcasters – SFA

Chief executive Ian Maxwell was speaking as he appeared before MSPs on Tuesday.

European governing body Uefa holds the broadcast rights to international football games (Andrew Milligan/PA) (PA Wire)

Scotland games being made free-to-air is an issue for broadcasters, the chief executive of football’s governing body has said.

Matches have in recent years been broadcast on paid television services, including Viaplay.

But political pressure has risen for public broadcasters to take over the rights to show the games since the men’s team made it to Euro 2020.

Speaking at the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee on Tuesday, Scottish Football Association (SFA) chief executive Ian Maxwell said the issue is out of the body’s hands.

“I don’t think it’s for the SFA to make sure the games are free-to-air, I think it’s on the free-to-air broadcasters to make sure the games are free-to-air,” he said.

“The process is that anybody can bid for our national team rights, it’s centralised through Uefa, it’s open for anybody to bid for them.”

The European football governing body has control over the TV rights for international matches involving each member nation, with just seven of the 55 – including Scotland – being broadcast on paid television services, according to SNP MP Gavin Newlands.

Mr Maxwell said: “Ultimately, it comes down to value, it comes down to finance.

“We receive money from the Uefa centralised deal, we then use that money to go and do the good work we do across the country.

“As long as those financial terms are met, anyone could show our games – I would love our games to be on free-to-air, but it ultimately comes down to the free-to-air broadcasters and can they commit the required finance.”

With the men’s team having qualified for Euro 2024 in Germany, their first group game against the hosts will be shown live on STV, while the subsequent two against Switzerland and Hungary will be carried by the BBC.

Mr Newlands said there was “no easy solution” to the issue, but added that it was “crucial” for fans, governing bodies and broadcasters to work together.

“I’m proud to have made this call on countless occasions, and table amendments to the Media Bill currently making its way through in the House of Commons in the hope it speeds up the process,” he said.

“I am determined to find a solution that will offer the next generation of Scotland fans the chance to watch their heroes play against the world’s best, while protecting investment in grassroots football and ensuring both our senior national teams are available to all.”

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said: “Loyal Scotland fans are always keen to cheer their team on, but are all too often priced out of doing so.

“While those not fortunate enough to be in Germany next year in person will be able to watch those games, that sadly isn’t always the case with qualification matches.

“I hope the SFA work closely with broadcasters to ensure that the Tartan Army can always watch these important games, free-to-view.”

Scottish Greens MSP Gillian Mackay, who has campaigned on the issue, said: “Football is for all of us, and should be available to as many people as possible.

“Fans are the lifeblood of the sport, and I don’t want anyone to be priced out of our beautiful game or feel like they need to be crammed into a pub in order to watch it.

“For me the main question isn’t about who has been to blame for keeping the matches behind a paywall.

“It is about how we move on and find solutions. I have met with STV and others, and hope that we can bring fans, the SFA and broadcasters together to sort this once and for all.

“It has been a historic year for our men’s team, and there will be millions of us cheering on Steve Clarke’s team and the Tartan Army as they do us proud in Germany.”