Lib Dem leader on the attack over Setanta

Published on Thursday 11 June 2009 22:03

FIRST Minister Alex Salmond yesterday told MSPs he could not intervene to help save Scotland's football clubs.

Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott highlighted the cash crisis facing Scottish Premier League clubs at First Minister's Questions following the near collapse of sports broadcaster Setanta .

However, Mr Salmond – a keen Hearts supporter – said there was nothing he could do, although he was "extremely concerned".

He told MSPs he could not give clubs public money and he "couldn't see any role for the Scottish Government".

However, he said if Mr Scott could come up with any ideas on how he could help he would be willing to intervene.

Mr Salmond added he would raise the issue at a meeting he held yesterday with the Scottish Football Association, arranged before the Setanta crisis.

Mr Scott later said he was astonished the First Minister had "stayed on the sidelines". He added: "In a game of two halves, the First Minister has decided not to playthe first 45 minutes."

Mr Scott pointed out that for some smaller football clubs the TV income is more than 60 per cent of their turnover.

He claimed Mr Salmond was "not normally shy" to intervene on any subject, including the recent travails of the reality television star Susan Boyle.

And he asked when the sports minister would sit down with the parties to discuss the different options,

saying: "If Setanta folds, here in Scotland there will be a Dutch auction for the TV rights."

There are continued concerns that the 13.5 million income to Scottish football could drop below 5m and Mr Scott said that the most likely bidder, Sky, would have a monopoly.

"If that is not bad enough, Clydesdale Bank's sponsorship could be reviewed if the TV cameras are switched off," he said.

Setanta yesterday issued a statement saying it was not in administration, but had suspended all new customer subscriptions.

Senior management are continuing attempts to refinance the company, which screens Scottish Premier League matches and other sports.

No Mickey Mouse rescue

SETANTA'S hopes of being rescued by a buy-out by Disney-owned broadcaster ESPN were dashed last night.

ESPN has ruled out any purchase of the cash-strapped Irish firm, whose fate should be decided within the next few days, but could be interested in acquiring the rights to several sports if Setanta goes into administration.

An ESPN spokesman confirmed: "We currently have no plans to buy Setanta."

ESPN did bid for the English Premier League rights from 2010-13, but lost out to Sky, which won five packages, and Setanta, which won the other, for 23 live games a year.

If Setanta does go under, the broadcast rights revert to the Premier League, which will auction them off again.

Setanta said yesterday it was not in administration, but was continuing in its efforts to refinance the company.

The broadcaster has been looking to reduce its rights bills, raise cash from investors, or even sell a stake to another company.

Deloitte has been lined up as administrator if the rescue efforts fail.