Leeds United on pay-per-view - FSA calls on BT Sport and Sky Sports to reconsider pricing scheme

Earlier today the Premier League announced that its clubs had agreed that five matches from each set of fixtures that had not already been selected for broadcast would be made available through BT Sports Box Office and Sky Sports Box Office.

The BT Sport website has since confirmed that Leeds United's game against Aston Villa is one such fixture, available on BT Sports Box Office for a price of £14.95.

A Premier League statement said: "The Premier League today confirmed all fixtures until the end of October will continue to be made available to fans to watch live in the UK.

"Clubs today agreed this interim solution to enable all fans to continue to watch their teams live. The Premier League has worked closely with Sky Sports and BT Sport to provide this arrangement and is grateful for their support. The agreement will be regularly reviewed in consultation with clubs and in line with any decisions made by Government regarding the return of spectators to stadiums."

A spokesperson for BT Sport has revealed that revenue from the PPV games will go to the Premier League in order to support the clubs financially and that games on BT Sport Box Office will be accessible for non subscribers.

And while the FSA welcome the screening of games that fans, still locked out of stadiums due to the COVID-19 pandemic, would not otherwise be able to see, they say their members are not happy with the pricing that has been agreed.

A spokesperson said: "Today’s announcement shows that fan power works. At the start of this season the Premier League and its broadcasters had planned to leave match-going fans entirely locked out of their side’s matches; now thanks to the sustained pressure of our #LetUsWatch campaign all games will be available for fans.

“Many Premier League clubs have already taken money from fans, particularly season ticket holders, for matches they can’t attend so we urge them to get refunds out to those supporters as soon as possible.

“We’ve also already heard from many supporters and FSA members who are concerned about the £15 per game being charged and we’d urge BT Sport and Sky Sports to reconsider their pricing for these games.”

Ru Bhikha, TV expert for price comparison website Uswitch.com, suggests that while the arrangement is not ideal, there are upsides.

“This move by the Premier League is far from an ideal solution, but it at least means that supporters don’t have to miss out on seeing their team in action," he said.

“While it may feel galling for some fans to have to pay £14.95 a match to watch a game from their living room, many supporters will be used to paying much more to see their team on matchday, with the average Premier League ticket costing £32 in the 2019/20 season."