SPFL streaming services and fans exclusion from football

Having disposed of Celtic and AZ Alkmaar in earlier Conference League knockout rounds, Bodo/Glimt return to Rome tonight to face Roma (why we insist on calling the city one name and the club another, when they answer to exactly the same word is perplexing).  In November, on Europa League duty, they drew 2-2 with Roma, after defeating Jose Mourinho’s men 6-1 in Norway.

Our season that has already delivered so much, has European blots in August and February.  The defeats to Bodo/Glimt, in particular, were an indication of how much work still has to be done.  I would like to see the Norwegians go even deeper into the tournament, if only to offer a reflective glow on our own performance against them, but that feels too much like grasping for straws.

SPFL chief exec Neil Doncaster said he expected Pass to Paradise and other clubs’ streaming services to stop for domestic viewers from next season.  There remains a significant number of season ticket holders shielding and unable to congregate in large crowds.

The League is dependent on Sky TV’s largess here.  Sky changed the terms of their contract to permit Pass to Paradise-type services, a return to business as usual was always on the cards.  Before that happens, a Health Accommodation exclusion is worth exploring, especially now season ticket renewals have been issued.

I know one season ticket holder who has not attended since the socially distanced game against Dundee in August.  What happens next affects real people, real fans and their exclusion from football.