FA Cup to air free online

The English Football Association has yet to replace broadcaster Sentanta after the company’s collapse and will air the FA Cup for the first time live online next month.

The online broadcast will be free of charge on the FA website. 

The FA has been unable to negotiate a final deal to date and does not expect to replace Setanta before the event. Talks with major broadcasters Sky, the BBC or ESPN are in progress and will continue. There is no word on how much each broadcaster is willing to pay.

The plan to air the FA Cup online follows a successful online screening of the England World Cup against Ukraine earlier in October, which attracted about a half-million viewers.

FA has also announced that ITV will air two matches during the first and second round of the tournament. ITV has selected the 7 November match between Zamaretto League club Paulton Rovers and Norwich City and the 8 November match between Charlton Athletic FC and Northwich Victoria.