Satellite football warning for pubs
Local government co-ordinator LACORS has warned that pubs are putting their licence at risk if they screen football via foreign satellite systems.
With the new football season kicking off this weekend, the warning from LACORS is an indication that councils will get tough on pubs that use foreign systems during the 2007/2008 season.
Perhaps most importantly for the pub trade, any licensee found guilty could lose their licence to sell alcoholA statement from LACORS.
A statement from LACORS said: "In the UK, BSkyB and Setanta have the exclusive rights to broadcast live Premier League football.
"Unfortunately many licensees have purchased either foreign satellite systems or counterfeit decoding equipment to enable them to broadcast live matches without any authority or licence.
"Now council trading standards are warning local pubs that anyone using illegal or counterfeit broadcasting systems in the UK is breaking the law and can have their equipment seized - with criminal proceedings likely to follow.
"Prosecution could result in criminal conviction, a fine of up to £5,000 and payment of costs and damages.
"Perhaps most importantly for the pub trade, any licensee found guilty could lose their licence to sell alcohol."
Chairman of LACORS, Cllr Geoffrey Theobald, said: "As the new football season kicks off its vitally important that all licensees are aware of the law when it comes to showing live football. The vast majority of pubs that show live matches do so legally, but unfortunately it seems some licensees have been duped into buying foreign satellite equipment which is not only illegal but could get them into serious trouble.
"Licensees need to be aware that illegally broadcasting Premier League football could not only land them in court and facing a hefty fine, but could also see them lose their licence and with it their livelihood."
A Premier League spokesman said: "As more and more complaints have come in from publicans to law enforcement complaining that the pub along the road is using foreign satellite equipment to gain an unfair and illegal competitive advantage, law enforcement agencies have decided to act, and we have been asked to provide information."
