Foreign satellite case set for High Court
Karen Murphy, the Portsmouth licensee at the centre of the foreign satellite football row, has lodged an appeal in the High Court.
Murphy had her conviction for showing foreign satellite Premiership football upheld last month at Portsmouth Crown Court but has appealed the decision again.
It will be the first time a foreign satellite football case has been heard in the High Court.
We will welcome the opportunity to reaffirm definitively, and for once and for all, the fact that the use of foreign satellites to screen live Premier League games in the UK is illegalFAPL spokesman Dan Johnson.
The MA understands that Murphy hopes to argue that the broadcasts she shows in her pub do not originate from the UK.
Murphy was acquitted once last year on the basis she did not act dishonestly, she then continued to show games and was prosecuted again.
She was found guilty the second time and had that conviction upheld on appeal - resulting in fines and costs of around £12,000.
She only had until yesterday to lodge the appeal and the MA understands it was submitted with just hours to spare.
The Premier League has welcomed the move.
FAPL spokesman Dan Johnson told morningadvertiser.co.uk: "We are pleased. Should the the Murphy appeal go to the High Court we will welcome the opportunity to reaffirm definitively, and for once and for all, the fact that the use of foreign satellites to screen live Premier League games in the UK is illegal."
Murphy's appeal could give respite to other licensees who have court cases pending as there is authority in law for lower courts to wait until the High Court decision has been reached as the outcome of Murphy's appeal could have a bearing on how the lower courts proceed.
