Press Release
Football Boycott for ITV
The Walsall Supporters' Trust (WST) has joined with other supporters’ trusts in calling for fans to boycott ITV’s coverage of the World Cup as it moves towards its climax. This is part of a wider strategy, which is aimed at persuading Carlton and Granada to honour the terms of their television agreement with the Football League.WST Chair, Richard Hall, said "the impact of the ITV Digital scandal on football clubs and their fans is already having negative consequences for clubs across the country. Fans need to do all that they can to ensure that Carlton and Granada do not renege on their deal with the Football League. One way in which fans can begin to influence matters is through a boycott of ITV’s World Cup games and highlights shows, where games are also being shown on BBC." The WST also called upon fans who are going to watch games in pubs to ask for them to be shown on BBC, where possible.
Football League spokesman John Nagle, has already stated that, "Carlton and Granada are cynically seeking to earn revenue off the success of the England team, through advertising, whilst at the very same time their actions threaten to destroy the bedrock of the English game.
"By taking this action all football supporters can show clear support for the League and its clubs, helping them to survive so that they can continue developing the talented footballers that have made England such a force at this World Cup."
The WST fully backs the recent appeal of Mike Lloyd, the Saddlers' Chairman, who wants to meet the three local MPs in order to spell out the dire consequences for clubs if Carlton and Granada do not pay up. The WST is calling upon Bruce George, David Winnick and Richard Shepherd to spell out their views on this issue and to raise fans’ concerns over the issue with the Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell.
Note to editors:
The WST is a membership organisation of dedicated Walsall FC supporters and has over 530 paid-up members. These people are also shareholders in the football club with 73 shares.