Sky and the Football Association of Ireland have changed the agreement under which Sky had "exclusive rights" to screen Ireland's home soccer matches, the High Court heard yesterday.
The revised agreement, which was drawn up during recent months, means that Sky now has a "non-exclusive" agreement with the FAI for showing matches. The financial terms under which Sky had the exclusive rights have been reduced . As a result of the changed terms, it may now be possible for RTÉ to do a deal with the FAI for showing live Ireland's two home matches next month against Georgia and Albania.
The new pact with Sky was worked out prior to the enactment of the Broadcasting (Major Events Television Coverage) (Amendment) Act, 2003. Under the new legislation, a "qualifying broadcaster" may apply to the High Court to obtain rights from an "event organiser" to provide coverage of a designated event on free television within the State.
So far, there has not been any agreement between RTÉ and the FAI and last week, the High Court was told RTÉ has instituted legal proceedings against the FAI to get the right to show the home matches against Georgia and Albania next month. The president of the High Court, Mr Justice Finnegan, yesterday listed the case for mention in court on Wednesday next with a view to a full hearing going ahead on Thursday or Friday of next week.
There is provision under the legislation, for a court-appointed arbitrator to work out the fee to be paid to the FAI if agreement cannot be reached .
Asked by the judge if there was a timescale for preparing for coverage of a match if agreement was reached, Mr Bill Shipsey SC, for RTÉ, said he had been told it would be about a working week.