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FourFourTwo
FourFourTwo
Sport
Matthew Ketchell

Broadcasters are putting TV before Fans and undermining initiatives like ‘Green Football Weekend’ - here’s how to fix it

Newcastle United fans hold up a banner reading 'TV BEFORE FANS' prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Luton Town at St. James Park on February 03, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. .

Walking into St. James’ Park on Saturday I turned my head to view the latest fan display by Newcastle United supporter group, Wor Flags. Typically these tifos pay tribute to a current or former player, or make a nod towards an anniversary in the club’s history.

But before the Luton game, fans used a rare Saturday 3pm kick-off to protest the massive inconvenience they have suffered at the hands of TV broadcasters on three occasions already in 2024, with two more expensive, environmentally unfriendly disruptions set to follow in February and March.

“TV BEFORE FANS” read Wor Flags’ banner. Four smaller banners flanked this denoting recent Newcastle United away fixtures and kick-off times that had been altered to suit TV schedules:

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