Make Champs League free to watch says ‘Gooner’ PM
SIR Keir Starmer has called for Saturday’s Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-germain to be broadcast for free.
The Prime Minister, a Gunners fan, has written TOTNT Sports and urged the channel to make the match – being played in Budapest, Hungary – available to fans who lack a subscription.
He said that “hardworking people should not have to worry about forking out for a subscription to watch a game of this magnitude”.
In his letter, he stated: “I was saddened to see that, for the first time since the competition started 34 years ago,tnt Sports has decided that the Champions League final will not be free to watch in the UK.
“The Champions League is the biggest club football competition in the world and rightly means a lot to fans in this country – the home of football. I am a firm believer that the final
of this competition should remain free to watch, whether Arsenal have made it or not.”
He added: “We should be putting supporters first. That is why I encouraged Fifa to do more to make tickets more affordable at this summer’s World Cup.
“That is also why I want to urge you to reconsider and make the final on Saturday free to watch for the millions of football fans in this country.”
Sir Keir is a dedicated Gooner and was seen watching the team with former manager Arsene Wenger at the Emirates Stadium last year.
The final, which kicks off at 5pm British time, will be screened at the Emirates.
A TNT Sports spokesman said: “We have made all three Uefa finals this year available from £4.99, the price for a month-long subscription to HBO Max – exceptional value for fans.”