Foreign satellite cases adjourned

Pending legal cases against licensees found using foreign satellite equipment to show Premiership football are being adjourned by courts until after a High Court ruling is made.

Media Protection Services (MPS), which operates on behalf of the FA Premier League, has made it clear to courts that there is an outstanding "stated case" pending - meaning magistrates are postponing cases against publicans.

The issue is due to be heard in the High Court later this year, following an application lodged by Portsmouth licensee Karen Murphy, after she failed in her Crown Court appeal against a conviction for screening live Premier League football using a foreign satellite system.

Another Portsmouth licensee, Derek Hopper of the Royal Exchange, Southsea, was due to have his case heard this Monday (July 9) at Portsmouth Magistrates Court, but the case has been adjourned.

Ray Hoskin, managing director of MPS, said: "All the cases are live, we are just holding them back. Our investigations will not alter. We haven't gone away and we are increasing our efforts."