IFA secures deal with Sky TV

The Irish Football Association have sold the rights to broadcast live Northern Ireland football internationals from next year in a multi-million pound deal.

BBC Northern Ireland currently holds the rights to the games, and has been in negotiations with the IFA. However, it is understood Sky have beat competition from BBC NI and Irish-owned Setanta Sports to secure the deal.

The new broadcast deal includes all home international matches for four years from May 2008, at least two under-21 matches each season for four years from the start of 2008-09 until the close of 20011-12 and five live fixtures each season from the Carnegie Premier League for five years.

Announcing the agreement, Jim Boyce, President of the Irish FA said: “Sky Sports are at the cutting edge of sports broadcasting and we are delighted they will be bringing their expertise as a TV partner to assist us in our work, showcasing the game at all levels.

"The significant rights fee will also considerably strengthen the Association’s finances as we move forward.”

Northern Ireland supporters’ spokesman Gary McAllister told the BBC the new deal would “squeeze out” people who would be unable to attend home matches.

“It will leave a lot of people disenfranchised,” he said.

“Older people who just cannot get to international matches because they cannot travel the distance or maybe because they cannot get to matches at night because of the cold weather.

“These people are armchair fans and they support the team just as fervently as those who get to Windsor Park.”

Mr McAllister also added: “In the late 1980s and during the 1990s when the team wasn’t doing so well, our local broadcasters gave pretty good coverage to the team.

“We also have to look over what sort of commitment Sky will make in the long-term.”

It is understood the package could be worth around £10 million.

(JM/KMcA)