FAT moves to resolve TV rights issue, save top flight

FAT moves to resolve TV rights issue, save top flight

Thai League 1 is due to return in September. AMPHOL THONGMUEANGLUANG
Thai League 1 is due to return in September. AMPHOL THONGMUEANGLUANG

Football Association of Thailand (FAT) president Pol Gen Somyot Poompunmuang has invited all parties concerned to a meeting on Tuesday to work out a solution to the TV rights issue threatening the future of the coronavirus-hit Thai League 1 competition.

The FAT chief and Thai League Co yesterday sent out an invitation letter to the chairmen or top officials of the top-flight clubs, representatives of the Thai Professional Footballer Association (TPFA) and Thai League 1 TV rights holder TrueVisions.

The meeting will take place at the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) headquarters in Hua Mark.

The future of Thai League 1 season was put in doubt when TrueVisions expressed its inability to broadcast live matches beyond Oct 25 as per contract. However, it expressed its willingness to sign a new contract with the FAT to the end of this year.

TrueVisions is also seeking a reduction in TV rights fees, citing that it got fewer games than what was stipulated in the contract due to a decision by the association to reduce the number of teams in the top flight to 16 from the previous 18.

Moreover, the 2020 season was suspended in March because of the coronavirus outbreak. It will resume on Sept 12 this year and end in May next year.

The FAT has a three-year contract with TrueVisions worth a total of 1.2 billion baht which expires in October this year.

Meanwhile, Zense Entertainment Co is likely to become the new licence holder for Thai football for eight years, starting 2021.

The FAT has already completed the bidding process for TV rights from 2021-2028 for all events under its auspices, including Thai Leagues 1-3, the FA Cup and the League Cup.

Reports now suggest that Zense has offered to pay the FAT 1.5 billion baht per year, amounting to a total of 12 billion baht over eight seasons.

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