TV footie infringement earns host a hefty fine
by John Harrington
A Bolton host has become the first this season to be fined for showing live Premiership football during the Saturday afternoon 'closed period'.
A further 35 licensees are to appear before magistrates in the next few weeks for showing games in the closed period - as the crackdown on rogue screenings gathers pace.
Michael Waters, licensee of the Black Horse in Higher Market Street, Kearsley, was ordered to pay £1,400 in fines and costs after he was twice caught showing Premiership games between 2.45pm and 5.15pm on Saturdays.
UEFA has outlawed the practice as it wants to encourage people to attend stadiums.
The Premier League sent Waters a warning letter when he was caught showing a match between Bolton Wanderers and Manchester United in August 2003 using a decoder that took images in from North Africa.
But he was caught again one month later screening a Man-chester United versus Man- chester City derby game.
Waters, who pleaded guilty to receiving a satellite programme in breach of Premier League copyright, was fined £750 and ordered to pay £650 costs at Bolton Magistrates Court last week. He did not attend the court but sent a letter that said: 'I deeply regret my actions.'
Media Protection Services (MPS), which investigates illegal screenings, said another 15 licensees were due to appear before magistrates before Christmas for showing Saturday afternoon matches this season.
Court summonses have also been issued against another 20 pubs for showing closed-period games. These cases are due to be heard in January.
MPS managing director Ray Hoskin warned that hosts who use foreign decoders to show football matches in the UK put their licences in jeopardy.
A licensee convicted of showing games using a foreign decoder must inform the licensing authority. The Licensing Act says receiving illegal foreign broadcasts could result in the loss of personal licences.
Hoskin said the first court summons this season for using a foreign decoder has been issued to a licensee.
'These cases are coming in thick and fast,' said Hoskin.
l Crackdown targets managed pubs - p8
