World Cup and European qualifiers should all be free-to-air, report says

13-Nov-2009 - Last updated on 28-Aug-2011 at 08:18 GMT

All football World Cup and European Championship qualifying matches involving the Home Nations should be offered live on free-to-air television, a...

All football World Cup and European Championship qualifying matches involving the Home Nations should be offered live on free-to-air television, a government-commissioned independent panel has recommended.

The high profile David Davies report, looking at what events should be protected as sporting "crown jewels" for television, was published this morning - and could offer pubs without Sky a welcome boost.

As expected, Davies has also recommended that home Ashes Test matches should be protected for live free-to-air coverage.

The Rugby Union World Cup tournament and Open Golf championship have also made the list of sports that should be protected as they have a "special national resonance".

But The Derby and the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final have dropped off the list of protected live sports.

Though the recommendations will be seen as a blow to Sky, the panel applauded the way the satellite broadcaster had driven innovation in covering sport.

But the panel urged Sky and ESPN to consider the circumstances when it might broadcast a "small number of major events" for free for the interests of viewers.

David Davies, who conducted the review, said: "The panel's task was to look beyond the interests of any one sport, and assess the events that really matter to society in the modern age. I believe our report is challenging for the sports governing bodies, the broadcasters and the government. But unashamedly it puts the viewing public first."

However, the changes are unlikely to take effect until 2012 at the earliest due to the length of broadcasters' current contracts.

And initially the government is expected to put the plans out for a 12-week consultation.

The full list of recommended events that should be protected for free-to-air live coverage is:

• The Summer Olympic Games

• FIFA World Cup Finals Tournament

• UEFA European Football Championship Finals Tournament

• The Grand National

• The FA Cup Final (in England, Wales and Northern Ireland only)

• The Scottish FA Cup (in Scotland only)

• Home and away qualification matches in the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Football Championships (listed in the Home Nation to which they relate)

• The All-England Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship (listed in its entirety)

• The Open Golf Championship