Kieran Maguire: Celtic bulletproof as SPFL’s big fear’ edges closer
The SPFL will be concerned that the abolition of the 3pm blackout could lead to reduced attendances in Scotland – but this will not be an issue for Celtic.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the knock-on effect the EFL’s mooted decision to scrap the blackout could have outside England.
The EFL has softened its stance on the 60-year-old rule which prohibits football from being shown on domestic television between 2.45pm and 5.15pm in order to protect the lower leagues.
But the SPFL is concerned by the news that the removal of the broadcast embargo is on the cards, according to the Daily Mail earlier this month (14 October).
Maguire argues that, if the Premier League follows suit, this could lead to match-going fans of clubs other than Celtic and Rangers staying at home and watching English football on the television.
“For a club like Celtic, their fans are going to watch home and away regardless of what is going on south of the border,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“But other clubs are competing for eyeballs. Scotland has an amazing achievement in that it has the highest number of people who attend matches per 100 in the population of all the Uefa countries.
“Clearly, the SPFL wants to maintain the close links they have with their football communities.
“Distractions in respect of EFL games I don’t think would be significant. The big fear from the SPFL is if the proposal to remove the blackout is a success then it would be copied by the Premier League.
“Then, it would become more challenging for clubs south and north of the border to attract more punters. But I don’t see it being an issue because their fans are very committed.“
In other news, ex-Premier League referee claims Celtic victims of major VAR blunder as controversial James Forrest footage emerges.