Coronavirus: Uefa lift 3pm blackout clearing path for behind closed doors games
The English and Scottish FAs requested the transmission-free period to be withdrawn due to the coronavirus pandemic
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Your support makes all the difference.Uefa has lifted the “blocked hours” protection granted to England and Scotland for the remainder of the 2019-20 season, paving the way for games to be played behind closed doors if necessary to complete the campaign.
The Saturday 3pm blackout, in place since the 1950s to protect stadium attendances, will be removed allowing Sky and BT Sport to broadcast league matches kicking off at that time, with FA Cup clashes to be screened by the latter as well as BBC.
The English and Scottish FAs requested the transmission-free period to be withdrawn, with article 8 of Uefa’s regulations allowing for changes due to force majeure.
On Friday it was updated to read: “Taking into account the current exceptional circumstances, Uefa has lifted the “blocked hours” protection granted to the Uefa Member Associations for England and Scotland for the remainder of the 2019/20 season football season, following requests from the relevant National Associations as a result of measures taken in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The Independent has revealed the intention of elite football in England to return, even if it has to be with the absence of match-going fans, in order to uphold the integrity of the competitions and avoid ruinous financial and legal penalties.
The Premier League reiterated has reiterated that the “combined objective is for all remaining domestic league and cup matches to be played.”
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