PATRICIA URGES SKY SPORTS TO MAKE SCOTLAND'S WORLD CUP PLAY-OFFS FREE-TO-AIR

Ahead of the play-off draw for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tomorrow (Friday), Patricia Gibson MP has called on Sky Sports to make Scotland's crucial play-off matches in March free-to-air.

A recent precedent was the decision to air Emma Raducanu’s remarkable achievement in winning the US Open final in September.

Patricia said:

"Anticipation and excitement is building across Scotland ahead of the play-off draw for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar next year.

"Steve Clarke's team have brought us on a joyous and successful journey that has united the Scottish public.

"Making these vital play-off matches involving Scotland available free to air would ensure that every Scotland fan has the chance to watch these matches without the need to pay a subscription fee. Households are already experiencing mounting bills across the board and should not be forced to pay to watch this national event.

"These play-off games are crucial and represent the final steps on the road to the World Cup - and they deserve to be enjoyed without cost, constraint, or restriction.

“It’s deeply disappointing that Scots fans have been faced with England v Andorra and Albania on terrestrial TV because the BBC and ITV will not pay to show Scotland matches.

"I urge Sky Sports to do the right thing and make these games free-to-air so everyone is able to properly enjoy these huge games.

"There are a number of precedents for taking this step, the most recent being the decision to broadcast free to air Emma Raducanu’s US Open victory in September. It’s only right that a similar decision is taken in terms of broadcasting this major sporting event."

ENDS