BT Sport rejects government calls to air Everton vs Liverpool for free amid concerns over coronavirus rule breaches

Merseyside derby is set to go ahead on Saturday, with the city of Liverpool in a ‘Tier Three’ lockdown

(2020 Pool)

BT Sport has rejected the government’s calls for the broadcaster to televise this weekend’s clash between rivals Everton and Liverpool for free amid concerns over coronavirus rule breaches.

The Merseyside derby is due to take place at Goodison Park at 12.30pm BST on Saturday, with BT Sport set to air the Premier League clash to their subscribers.

But with Liverpool the first city to enter a ‘Tier Three’ lockdown – deemed at ‘very high’ risk amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, with pubs closed – there are fears that fans of both clubs could congregate on the streets during the behind-closed-doors game.

Therefore, making the match available to a much greater audience by airing it for free would potentially reduce the chance of public gatherings and the spread of the disease.

Oliver Dowden, Britain’s secretary for digital, culture, media and sport, was asked on Wednesday how appropriate it was that the Merseyside derby would air on a subscription service given the circumstances, with MP Damian Green suggesting that the situation would lead locals to breach coronavirus guidelines.

Dowden replied: “I wouldn't accept the premise that people in Liverpool are going to breach the rules at all, but if BT are able [to make the match free to air] as a gesture, that would be a great thing to do of course.”

But BT Sport later told The Independent: “Broadcast revenue is critical to ensuring that football clubs stay financially afloat, and together we help protect the overall football ecosystem. 

“It’s impossible to start applying different commercial models to the many differing and dynamic local lockdown situations.”

Information from PA contributed to this report.