By Mark Baber
August 28 – The inaugural edition of Australia’s FFA Cup has run into controversy as Football Federation Australia insist that no live streaming of games is allowed, even though only two games in the Round of 16 will be broadcast live on Fox Sports.
The FFA has informed clubs that “there will be no further opportunities for clubs and/or Member Federations to organise an online stream of any Westfield FFA Cup matches.” Additionally highlights or footage cannot be shown on the club or Federation websites as it is “in breach of the broadcast and online contractual agreement.”
The FFA position is in accordance with the Cup Regulations but the question being raised is whether it is wise and fair to fans and to the lower league clubs for whom live streaming is both cheap and helpful in encouraging fan engagement.
The situation is exacerbated for lower league clubs participating in the competition, such as Olympic FC, who have had to organise their games at neutral grounds due to having insufficient lighting for TV cameras. As no compensation is paid to lower level teams who have to rent neutral grounds to play A-League opposition, some are finding they will actually make a loss on what is one of the biggest games of their season or even history as a club.
South Hobart FC reported that live streaming of their match against Tuggeranong United in the opening round reached “anywhere between 18,000-20,000 people” obviously increasing interest in both the club and the competition.
Fox Sports responded to the furore with a statement saying, “On each night, three additional matches from the round of 16 will be contested at the same time as the feature broadcast match and Fox Sports will once again provide previews and live in-game highlights from each contest as it unfolds throughout the night.”
So only fans of Tuggeranong United, Melbourne Victory, Sydney United and Sydney FC, whose matches are being televised, are likely to be happy with the provisions made.
The good news is that all matches from the Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and the FFA Cup Final will be broadcast on Fox Sports, and fans in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will get the chance to see these games as well through a deal with TEN Sports.
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