Socceroos fans furious after hitting FIFA World Cup qualifier paywall
Socceroos fans who woke at 4am on Tuesday to watch their team qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup were surprised to find themselves locked behind the Paramount+ paywall, despite other qualifying matches being broadcast on free-to-air television.
'What will be said in offices around Australia today? 'Really? [Didn't you watch it?]'. 'No, I couldn't watch it. I don't have Paramount',' said one X user, as others claimed the cost of a subscription wouldn't help build a fan base.
Blayne Treadgold, secretary of the Football Supporters Association Australia, said the Socceroos and Matildas were 'for everyone' and that it was important for major games to be accessible to fans.
'The more eyes that we can get on these games, the more benefit there is for the game itself,' said Treadgold, who said access to the sport was vital for 'encouraging and inspiring that next generation to get involved in the game, whether that be in a playing capacity or a supporter capacity'.
'From a fan perspective, [free-to-air television] is hugely important, but the other side of the coin, which we understand, is [that] there's also a commercial reality for the sport itself. That funding needs to come from somewhere, like any other sport. Much of it comes from the ability to sell broadcasting rights. I guess it's about finding that balance,' he said.
Wednesday morning's game was behind a paywall because of quirks in Australia's anti-siphoning laws, which govern what sporting events are free for Australian viewers.
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