Shamrock Rovers issue boycott threat to RTE over European football TV snub

League of Ireland fifth-place side Shamrock Rovers have said they may ban RTE cameras from Tallaght Stadium for the rest of the season over the national broadcaster’s decision not to televise Rovers’ European endeavours so far this term.

Rovers confirmed on Monday that this week’s Europa League play-off away leg against PAOK from Greece will be streamed online on LOITV.

The winners of this tie get Europa League group stage football, while the losers are guaranteed Europa Conference League group stage football.

Rovers used the announcement of the streaming of both legs of this tie to criticise Irish TV stations for not showing any of their four European rounds so far.

It’s reported that at least some or all of those matches were offered to RTE, Virgin Media, TG4 and Premier Sports.

A Rovers statement said: ‘The club exhausted every avenue across the four rounds of European matches to deliver matches on a free to air National broadcaster, but to no avail.

‘Live streaming has provided fans with the option to follow the Hoops home and away in Europe in July and August.

‘It has been a disappointment that these thrilling games have not been showcased to a wider Irish audience; the drama of a last minute penalty miss in our first home tie advancing the team to UCL QR2, 9,500 fans packed into Tallaght Stadium for a great match against Sparta Prague game and, finally, the turnaround from an away first leg loss to beat Celje in extra time to make the UECL League phase (at a minimum).

‘And now, the visit of PAOK will not be broadcast on terrestrial Irish TV.

‘The club is considering if it will facilitate any future requests from the National broadcaster to show SSE Airtricity Premier Division fixtures from Tallaght Stadium in 2024.’