Sports
Champions League: Keir Starmer urges TNT Sports to make final free-to-air
Sir Keir Starmer has called on TNT Sports to make next Saturday’s Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris St-Germain free-to-air.
The UK prime minister has written to the broadcaster to “strongly urge you to reconsider” a decision to make the final available to subscribers only.
Every previous final since the Champions League format was introduced to the European Cup in 1992 has been made available to watch free of charge in the UK.
In a letter to TNT executives, Starmer wrote: “I was saddened to see that, for the first time since the competition started 34 years ago, TNT Sports has decided that [the fixture] will not be free to watch for football supporters here in the UK.”
Last week, it was revealed that fans would need a subscription to watch all three European club finals, to which TNT holds the rights.
Starmer – who is an Arsenal fan – wrote: “The Champions League is the biggest club football competition in the world and rightly means a lot to fans in this country – the home of football.
“I am a firm believer that the final of this competition should remain free to watch, whether Arsenal have made it or not.
“Obviously, I want as many fellow fans as possible to be able to watch our team in this historic final for the first time in 20 years. However, this is bigger than that.
“This is about supporters of all teams coming together in living rooms and pubs in every corner of the country to watch the most elite players in Europe battle it out.
“Hard-working people should not have to worry about forking out for a subscription to watch a game of this magnitude.
“We should be putting supporters first. That is why I have already encouraged Fifa to do more to make tickets more affordable at this summer’s World Cup.
“That is also why I want to strongly urge you to reconsider and make the final next Saturday free to watch for the millions of passionate football fans in this country.”
Fans wanting to watch Aston Villa win the Europa League final last week needed a subscription, and the same will apply to those wanting to watch the Conference League final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.
In a statement, TNT Sports said: “It has been a privilege to bring Uefa club competitions to sports fans across the UK throughout the season.
“Having three Premier League clubs reach the finals shows the strength of English football and something that we are proud to continue to support.
“We have made all three Uefa finals this year available from just £4.99, the price for a month-long subscription to HBO Max that also includes the great entertainment on the service. This represents exceptional value for fans to watch the conclusion of the competitions.”
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Sports
The Hundred Southern Brave vs Manchester Super Giants – Tristan Stubbs and Moeen Ali get a run out each in Southampton
Moeen Ali and Tristan Stubbs produce two moments of magic in the field as they run out Tim Seifert and Leus du Plooy respectively, with two superb direct hits as Southern Brave fight back against Manchester Super Giants in Southampton.
WATCH MORE: Stubbs ‘fuming’ about stunning elbow catch is overturned
Available to UK users only.
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Sports
Brilliant Ballymena shock Blues to lay down early marker
BBC Sport NI takes a look at some of the talking points from the match when the much-changed Sky Blues shocked David Healy’s side.
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Sports
Super League: Huddersfield Giants 42-20 Catalans Dragons
Betfred Super League
Huddersfield (36) 42
Tries: Halsall 2 Rogers, Wrench 2, Hewitt, Dunford Goals: Flanagan 7
Catalans (0) 20
Tries: Condon 2, Darrelatour, Staines Goals: Sexton 2
Huddersfield Giants marked the announcement of their move to Dewsbury from next season by cruising past Catalans Dragons to register their third successive Super League win.
Huddersfield let nearly 9,000 fans into the Accu Stadium for free to hear the news at half-time and six first-half tries made it a party atmosphere, scores from Fenton Rogers, Connor Wrench, Sam Hewitt, Zane Dunford and two from Sam Halsall bringing a 36-0 interval lead.
Huddersfield went flat after the announcement, which received a mixed reception from fans at the Accu, and Catalans – who had Franck Maria deservedly sent off for a high tackle – responded after the break through a Ben Condon double, and further tries from Leo Darrelatour and Charlie Staines.
Wrench scored a seventh try for Huddersfield, who remain bottom despite the rousing win but are showing signs of progress under Aussie head coach Jim Lenihan, who was appointed in May.
Huddersfield’s target is to avoid collecting the wooden spoon and they are desperate to still be a Super League club when they move to Dewsbury next year.
The hosts were ahead in the fourth minute when Halsall marked his return after nearly four months out with a partial Achilles tear by intercepting the ball and running from deep inside his own half to score under the posts.
Rogers powered over for his first try of the season after eight minutes before Halsall touched down in the left corner for his second score of the afternoon.
Huddersfield and their fans were having fun in the sun and they celebrated their fourth try after 21 minutes when they turned over possession in their own half and Wrench ran away to score.
This was uncharted territory for Huddersfield and on 31 minutes Hewitt grounded Tui Lolohea’s kick for his first score of the season before Dunford powered over from close range for their sixth try a minute before half-time.
The announcement of the move to Dewsbury seemed to deflate the atmosphere for the second half and John Cartwright’s Catalans finally showed what they can do.
Condon crashed over underneath the posts before Wrench intercepted the ball and ran most of the length of the pitch for his second score for Huddersfield.
Catalans were reduced to 12 men when Maria was sent off for a reckless challenge on George King on 61 minutes but, incredibly, the French side went up through the gears to score three unanswered tries.
Condon showed great strength to score his second try before Darrelatour went over in the right corner and Staines bagged their fourth try five minutes from time.
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