Sean Barrett, CEO of Derry City Football Club, has today urged the FAI to take action following Sky Sports' new schedule for the upcoming season as he voiced his concerns for the attendances of League of Ireland matches going forward.
This summer the Premier League announced the addition of a Friday night fixture, to which Sky Sports won the broadcasting rights, and Barrett has revealed that while the FAI have discussed the matter, they seem far less worried than he does about the potential impact that live Premier League football on Friday nights could have for the league here in Ireland:
We spoke to the FAI to see if we could have the game brought forward. At this stage they were very reluctant but I’m assuming other clubs are feeling the same and you never know, we might have some success but we’ll see as the week goes on.
It’s something the league are going to have a serious look at for next season because Manchester United, Arsenal and teams like that playing on a Friday night, are going to affect the crowds, there’s no doubt about that.
Barrett continued to reveal that he and others are looking for alternatives, but admits the draw of big Premier League games could have a regular impact on attendances at the Brandwell and indeed throughout the league:
We’re looking at different alternatives but what are the alternatives? Saturday at 5 p.m? But there’s a game on then. Is it Sunday? There’s two games on then and there’s one on Monday. And then on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays there’s Champions League games. So it’s just going to be very difficult to get a slot for League of Ireland games.
I don’t know what the standard of Friday night games are going to be but unfortunately their starting off with a big one. It’s a serious concern for the club because we’re trying to get as much revenue in as we can. Premiership football is a big attraction to young people especially and it will affect the crowd.
Finally Barrett urged the fans of Derry City to turn out for this week's exciting clash against table toppers Dundalk, by urging them prioritse live football over watching on TV:
I can just call on our fans to come out and support the club. There’s nothing better than live football.
We played brilliant attacking football on Friday night against Galway. So come out and watch your local team. You can always Sky Plus or record the United match and watch it later on.
It will be interesting to see if the FAI have any answer to the concerns of CEO's in the League of Ireland, but for the moment it seems as though it will be business as usual and hope for the best.
via DerryJournal.com
