Prime Minister Keir Starmer, an ardent ArsenalTeam·Arsenal supporter, has united with the Football Supporters' Association (FSA) and a coalition of fan groups to advocate for the free-to-air broadcast of the UEFA Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League final. The highly anticipated match, featuring ArsenalTeam·Arsenal against French champions Paris Saint-GermainTeam·Paris Saint-Germain, is scheduled for Saturday, May 30, in BudapestVenue·Budapest.
This collective appeal arises as the showpiece European club competition final is set to be exclusively behind a paywall in the UK for the first time in its 34-year history. Historically, the final has always been accessible via free-to-air television or online streaming without charge, a tradition that this season's arrangement with TNT Sports breaks.
Mr. Starmer, who had previously voiced his disappointment, has now formally written to TNT Sports, urging them to reconsider their decision. He emphasized that "hard-working people should not have to worry about forking out for a subscription to watch a game of this magnitude," highlighting that the issue transcends his personal allegiance to ArsenalTeam·Arsenal. The Prime Minister stressed that the matter 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."
The joint statement, which began with the declaration "Football is for the fans," called upon TNT Sports to honor the tradition of making European club competition finals free to watch. It garnered significant backing from fan groups representing nine Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League clubs that participated in European competitions this season. Notable signatories include the ArsenalTeam·Arsenal Supporters Trust, Aston VillaTeam·Aston Villa Supporters Trust, Citizens Trust – Manchester CityTeam·Manchester City Supporters Union, ChelseaTeam·Chelsea Supporters Trust, Crystal PalaceTeam·Crystal Palace Independent Supporters Association, Newcastle UnitedTeam·Newcastle United Supporters Club, Nottingham ForestTeam·Nottingham Forest Supporters Trust, Spirit of Shankly – LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool Supporters Union, and Tottenham HotspurTeam·Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust. Several Members of Parliament, including Labour MP Jon Trickett and Shadow Culture Secretary Nigel Huddleston, have also lent their support to the cause.
TNT Sports, the current rights holder for all three UEFA club competitions in the UK, has defended its position. A spokesperson for the broadcaster stated that it has been a "privilege to bring Uefa club competitions to sports fans across the UK throughout the season." They highlighted that the offer to access all three UEFA finals, which this year feature English clubs, is available from just £4.99 for a month-long subscription to HBO Max, asserting that this "represents exceptional value for fans to watch the conclusion of the competitions."
While Aston VillaTeam·Aston Villa secured the Europa LeagueCompetition·Europa League title and Crystal PalaceTeam·Crystal Palace triumphed in the Conference LeagueCompetition·Conference League, it is the decision concerning the flagship Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League final that has drawn widespread criticism. UEFA is reportedly "irritated" by TNT Sports' stance, believing it contravenes the spirit of a contract that requires "best endeavours" to ensure finals are freely available. ArsenalTeam·Arsenal, having recently secured their first Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League title since 2004, is now pursuing a historic double and their inaugural Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League title, reaching the final after a dramatic victory over Atletico MadridTeam·Atletico Madrid. Paris Saint-GermainTeam·Paris Saint-Germain, the French champions, advanced to the final by defeating Bayern MunichTeam·Bayern Munich.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia trains with PSG ahead of the Champions League final. Photo: Bestimage/IMAGO
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