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The Australian Men’s Futsal team, the Futsalroos, have had their final preparation ahead of the 2019 Futsal Championships.
It was the first time since 2016 since the team last played, after competing in the 2016 Futsal World Cup in Colombia where they were knocked out in the group stage.
Now, the Futsalroos have completed a warm up match against the Solomon Islands at Valentine Sports Park on an important day as it was Australia’s last chance to see the team live in their country.
With a healthy turnout and live stream provided by Football NSW, the Futsalroos got the required 3-2 win with the support they needed that will see them depart to Vietnam for the 2019 Futsal Championships.
The AFF Futsal Championships serve as a stepping stone towards qualifying for the 2020 AFC Championship, as it’s the next qualifying stage.
The nations that finish in the top 3 places of the AFF Futsal Championships will progress to the 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup.
This will hopefully be just the beginning of the Futsalroo’s latest tilt on the world stage with the new qualification bid for the World Cup, which has gotten off to winning ways.
The long-standing 3pm broadcasting blackout for Premier League and EFL matches may soon be a thing of the past.
According to The Sun, the restriction could be lifted within the next five years, potentially reshaping the football viewing landscape in the UK.
The Current Situation
The blackout, which has been in place for six decades, prevents live broadcasting of games played at 3pm on Saturdays.
This rule aims to safeguard attendance at lower-league matches by encouraging fans to watch games in person rather than on television.
The Premier League’s new four-year broadcasting deal, set to begin next season, will maintain the blackout. However, both the Premier League and EFL agreements are scheduled to expire at the conclusion of the 2028-29 season, opening the door for significant changes.
Changing Perspectives
Traditionally seen as essential to protect matchday attendance, the blackout’s relevance is being questioned.
EFL studies suggest that televising matches has minimal impact on crowd numbers, challenging the necessity of the rule.
With a surge in live games on TV and digital platforms, the football community is increasingly debating whether the blackout is outdated.
Currently, the Premier League broadcasts 270 matches per season, leaving 110 games locked behind the blackout, and this has become increasingly controversial with local fans left frustrated at the fact they can’t watch all of their teams games.
Piracy Concerns
The blackout has inadvertently contributed to the rise in illegal streaming. Fans often resort to using devices like “cracked Fire Sticks” to watch Saturday 3pm matches, undermining the very attendance-focused intent of the restriction.
Recently, the Premier League have cracked down on piracy, threatening jail time and/or a large fine for anyone who illegally streams games that are affected by the blackout.
What’s Next?
Although the blackout remains in place for now, its future is under scrutiny. As midweek fixtures are exempt from the rule, every Premier League game this week is available for streaming on Amazon Prime.
The decision to lift the blackout will likely come as part of broader broadcasting negotiations, potentially marking the end of a long-standing tradition and redefining how fans experience English football.
With the rule being considered ‘outdated’ by many, the 2028-29 proposed change comes at the right time. Both the Premier League and the EFL can capitalise on an even bigger national TV rights deal, strengthening both leagues’ finances.
Football Australia applauds the ASC’s historic $385 million investment to boost high-performance and participation through the “Win Well” and “Play Well” programs.
This funding underscores the vital impact of sport in Australian communities and enhances pathways from grassroots to elite levels.
Football Australia is delighted to receive $6,319,500 in funding for the period from January 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
Win Well funding: $5,379,000
Play Well funding: $940,500
This marks a 25% boost in high-performance funding from the previous cycle, reinforcing football’s status as Australia’s favourite team sport and its expanding impact both on and off the field.
This investment will enhance Football Australia’s efforts to develop the game across all levels. The Win Well funding will back high-performance programs, equipping the Subway Socceroos, CommBank Matildas, CommBank ParaMatildas, CommBank Pararoos, and Youth National Teams for global success.
It also fortifies talent pathways, coaching, and advancements in sports science and medicine.
The Play Well funding emphasises grassroots development, fostering inclusive participation, and ensuring safe, welcoming spaces for players, coaches, and volunteers nationwide. As Australia’s largest participation sport, football has seen remarkable growth in women’s and girls’ involvement, driven by the success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™.
Football Australia CEO, James Johnson commended the Australian Government’s dedication to sport and emphasised its positive impact on football.
“This record investment from the Australian Government is a testament to the power of sport to inspire and connect our communities,” he said via press release.
“The increased funding through the Win Well program will enhance our ability to compete on the global stage, while the Play Well program enables us to bring the joy of football to more Australians, ensuring inclusive, safe, and welcoming environments for all.
“I would like to sincerely thank the Federal Minister for Sport, the Hon Anika Wells, and the Australian Government for their unwavering support and belief in the future of Australian football. This funding will empower us to build on the incredible momentum of our game, uniting Australians through football and preparing our athletes for success on the road to Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032.”
Football Australia is dedicated to achieving excellence in sport and increasing opportunities for all Australians to participate in the world’s most popular game.
