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Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images
Semi-final decision leaves Celtic fans out of pocket again this season; supporters are unhappy
Celtic supporters will have to pay out more hard-earned cash to watch Neil Lennon’s team attempt to reach the Scottish Cup final after today’s announcement from the Scottish FA.
It looks increasingly unlikely there will be a substantial crowd in attendance at Hampden for the match between the Bhoys and Aberdeen on Sunday, November 1st.
It’s now confirmed that fans will have to pay for subscription TV channel Premier Sports if they want to watch the big occasion, which has been rearranged from last season.
Supporters of Hearts and Hibs meanwhile will get to enjoy their semi-final the day prior live on national broadcaster BBC Scotland for free.
Your @WilliamHill Scottish Cup Semi-Final weekend is confirmed.
🆚 @JamTarts v @HibernianFC
🗓 Saturday, 31 October – 5pm
📺 @PremierSportsTV & @BBCScotland🆚 @CelticFC v @AberdeenFC
🗓 Sunday, 1 November – 2.30pm
📺 @PremierSportsTV#ScottishCup pic.twitter.com/IZ1JORvaVr— Scottish Cup (@ScottishCup) September 28, 2020
A month’s subscription to Premier Sports costs £9.99, which will be affordable to many. However, that isn’t the point.
Celtic fans have already paid an extraordinary amount for season tickets, selling out the club’s allocation, despite not being able to physically attend Celtic Park and having to rely on ‘Pass To Paradise’ streams.
Supporters have also had to fork out to watch all of our European qualifiers on Premier Sports.
In addition to that, there’s a Sky Sports subscription for away games, if we’re lucky.
Celtic fans / (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)
There have already been two occasions this season that Scottish Premiership matches featuring Celtic were only available on rival pay-per-view services, at a total cost of £27.50.
Unfortunately, it’s the Celtic support that misses out again when it comes to the semi-final as broadcasters and competition organisers look to cash in on our numbers.
It would have been fantastic to see Lennon’s team line up on the BBC as a treat for all to enjoy, regardless of circumstance.
I’m not incredibly happy with the situation, and as you can imagine, there are plenty more fans annoyed too.
These supporters have taken to Twitter today to share their thoughts on it all…
The fact fans can’t get in and yet you’ve put the game on Premier is an absolute disgrace. So much for the National game. More important you try and make a few quid than let the fans watch for free.
— Cmon-the-Hoops (@the_LEGEND1976) September 28, 2020
National semi final behind a paywall.
I hate it. https://t.co/kgl8ciB6Af
— Liam (@LK95_) September 28, 2020
So Celtic and Aberdeen fans have to fork out more money for this while the other two get it free on BBC.
— Tony CFC (@Green_Hoops67) September 28, 2020
Why are Celtic & Dons fans having to pay to watch yet Hibs & Hearts get to watch free?????
— Henriklubo (@Henriklubo) September 28, 2020
It’s actual a joke how much money we need to pay this season without even getting to a game. £500 odd pound for a season ticket, BT sports , sky Sports subscriptions , Premier Sport subscription and then ppv games. Its actual unreal https://t.co/Wi7wBa0imV
— Daniel (@danielmcp1999) September 28, 2020
So why is the edinburgh derby on both channels but celtics is only on premier sports which costs £12? https://t.co/SYPu3FZUSt
— Stuart Jaffray (@stuart_jaffray) September 28, 2020
Why have the games on premier sports, fans can’t attend the game so should be on bbc itv or clubs own channels. Ridiculous Scottish fa bowing to the highest bidder
— annon (@universalegg) September 28, 2020
Global pandemic and on another channel you need a subscription for. National semi final ffs
— zihnimac (@zihnimac) September 28, 2020
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