sign of the chimes
Active member
Agree with the overall premise but thought it was an optional UEFA directive? I think most associations have opted against using it in their territories (unlike our own authorities), but that could go some way to explaining how we've maintained four fully professional divisions (with many professional sides below League 2). I'd wager that without the blackout we'd fairly quickly end up with two professional divisions and semi-pro, regional leauges below that. I appreciate that the reintroduction of the 3pm UK blackout will be a bind for those fans who live away and are unable to get to see their teams in person for those matches, particularly having been given the chance to do so during the pandemic, but this is about the longer term sustainability of the pyramid, surely?The 3pm rule is basically a FIFA creation. It allows football authorities to stipulate a protected kick off time of their choosing in their country, in order to protect attendances from what would otherwise be wall to wall televised coverage by the likes of the Premier League. It is unfortunate that it mitigates against exiled fans, but it is there for the greater good of the game as a whole.