Eleven Sports to pause 3pm La Liga broadcasts but warns blackout is 'one of UK's biggest generators of piracy'
Eleven Sports has halted its broadcasting of La Liga matches during the United Kingdom's Saturday afternoon blackout period, but warned it is considering a legal challenge to the regulation.
Uefa statutes prevent live football from being shown between 2.45pm and 5.15pm on Saturday in the UK.
Eleven Sports has broadcast two La Liga matches in the blackout period so far, but on Wednesday said it will cease to do so "for the time being" while warning "it is irresponsible to leave the market in the hands of criminals".
"With the best interests of football fans at heart, we are currently considering all legal and regulatory options, including the referral of the case to the appropriate authorities," Eleven Sports said in a statement.
The blackout is not subject to UK or EU law, but the Football Association and the Scottish FA apply this rule.
It is said to be in place to protect attendance figures and participation in amateur fixtures and the FA and SFA are likely to be pleased with Eleven Sports' statement issued on Wednesday.
Eleven Sports, an online streaming service owned by Leeds majority shareholder Andrea Radrizzani, disagrees with the regulation, pointing to "piracy" where broadcasts are easily accessible online.
The Eleven Sports statement added: "Out of respect for the wishes of our partners, we will for the time being no longer show matches during the Saturday afternoon blackout period.
"We maintain our strong view that the rule, which dates back to the 1950s, is unfit for the modern, digital era - particularly for overseas games which we hold the rights to.
"The blackout is one of the biggest generators of piracy in the UK. These games are very easily accessed on illegal sites online and it is naive to think that fans do not watch them because they are not shown on legitimate platforms, except betting sites.
"It is irresponsible to leave the market in the hands of criminals."
Eleven Sports says supporters' wishes are not being heeded by the blackout, which is being enforced by the "football establishment".
The statement added: "Fans in the UK should have the freedom and the choice to watch these games legally through the official rights holder, as they do all over the world.
"Regrettably, intense pressure from stakeholders within the football establishment means that football fans across the country do not have this option."
