Setanta told the paper that it had not been offered enough money for the highlights rights, saying that “it had not yet received a proposal that makes commercial sense”. Sources at the BBC and ITV said that they feel that they are being rebuffed, amid accusations that Setanta wants to encourage more people to sign up to its platform.
The dispute means that fans will only be able to watch the fixture in Zagreb on September 10 - and the Andorra tie four days earlier – on Setanta’s pay-television service.
There is no requirement that any home nation’s qualifying matches be shown on free-to-air television — although the European Championship and World Cup finals must be shown on a free channel. ITV holds the rights to show England’s competitive home matches, with Setanta controlling live rights for all the competitive away ties. The dispute, however, represents an unfortunate start for the £425 million rights deal negotiated by Brian Barwick, the outgoing FA chief executive.
