Champions League: Keir Starmer calls on TNT Sports to make final free-to-air

Sir Keir Starmer has called TNT Sports to watch the Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain free-to-air next Saturday.

The UK Prime Minister has written to the broadcaster to “strongly urge you to reconsider” the decision to make the final available only to subscribers.

Since the introduction of the Champions League format to the European Cup in 1992, every previous final has been made available to watch for free in the UK.

In a letter to TNT officials, Starmer wrote: “I am saddened to see that, for the first time since the competition began 34 years ago, TNT Sports has decided that (the fixture) will not be free-to-view for football fans here in the UK.”

This is what the fans got to know last week A subscription will be required To watch the three European club finals, which TNT has the rights to.

Starmer – who is an Arsenal fan – wrote: “The Champions League is the biggest club football competition in the world and rightly so to fans in this country – the home of football.

“I firmly believe that the final of this competition should be free to watch, whether Arsenal make it or not.

“Of course, I want as many fellow fans as possible to be able to see our team in this historic final for the first time in 20 years. But, it’s bigger than that.

“It’s about supporters of all teams coming together in living rooms and pubs in every corner of the country to watch Europe’s most elite players battle it out.

“Hard working people don’t have to worry about shelling out for a subscription to watch a game of this magnitude.

“We should put our fans first. That’s why I’ve already encouraged FIFA to do more to make tickets to this summer’s World Cup more affordable.

“That is why I strongly urge you to reconsider and make next Saturday’s final free for the millions of passionate football fans in this country to watch.”

Fans also needed a TNT subscription to watch Aston Villa win the Europa League final last week and this will apply to Wednesday’s Conference League final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano.

In a statement, TNT Sports said: “It has been a privilege to bring UEFA club competitions to sports fans across the UK throughout the season.

“Having three Premier League clubs reach the final shows the strength of English football and we are proud to continue to support it.

“We’ve made all three UEFA finals available this year from just £4.99, the price of a month-long subscription to HBO Max which also includes great entertainment on the service. This represents exceptional value for fans to watch the competition end.”