Sunderland Football Club chairman Niall Quinn has attacked the use of foreign satellite systems to show football in pubs.
In a strongly-worded attack, Quinn said he "despises" people who watch football via foreign satellites in bars — and said screening Saturday afternoon "closed period" games does affect attendance at stadiums.
Foreign satellite suppliers were given a boost earlier this month when the advocate general of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) Juliane Kokott backed the idea that restricting broadcast rights to individual EU states contravenes the principle of free movement of goods.
She also said it's "doubtful" that the restriction on screening games during the closed period affects attendance at games.
Hatred
But in an interview with Sky Sports, Quinn said: "I would never criticise anyone who doesn't come to the stadium because of financial constraints, but I despise those who spend far more than the price of a ticket watching some overseas commentator describing the action at the nearby Stadium of Light.
"Contrary to the opinion of the advocate general, the illegal showing of Saturday 3pm fixtures involving Sunderland has an extremely detrimental effect on our attendances at the Stadium of Light.
"I can point to the evidence uncovered by an agency who covertly visited pubs and clubs in our catchment area and witnessed thousands watching the illegal broadcasts."
Easy option
He added: "My belief is a significant number of these people are taking the easy option of spending their money in the pub watching their team as opposed to supporting their team and helping to create a better atmosphere at the Stadium.
"Our attendances are down for a couple of reasons and the economic uncertainty right now is a factor.
"All clubs thrive on full stadiums. Loud, passionate support is the backbone of football and when our stadium is full, we are a force to be reckoned with.
"To anyone watching the game illegally in the pub, I will continue to say by doing so, you are not supporting your team, you are actually damaging the progress of the club."
Cheaper
Quinn said that Sunderland tickets are "50% cheaper than some clubs" and added: "We are doing what we can to make it as easy as possible for people to come and support their team."
The advocate general's opinion is not binding on the judges at the ECJ, whose verdict is due later this year.
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