Australia NewsSBS: Our Hands Are Tied |
EXCLUSIVE: SBS TV will have extensive coverage of the Olympic football tournament - including Brazil, Italy and Holland games - but are locked out of covering the Olyroos due to Channel Seven's broadcast deal.
To see how John Aloisi's penalty might have looked on Seven...
An SBS spokesperson told au.fourfourtwo.com today that although Olympic TV schedules can change "...at this stage, Channel Seven have the Olyroos and we have the rest of football."
SBS has a "complementary" broadcast deal for the Olympics next month. This means that they take what Channel Seven aren't broadcasting - which is good news for football fans wanting football-specific coverage of one of the most popular sports at the Olympics.
Some enticing clashes are on the menu, such as New Zealand versus Brazil, Holland against Japan and South Korea versus Italy, a match the Italians will surely want to win to avenge their humiliating loss in the 2002 World Cup.
But it's less good news for Olyroo fans.
Seven's proposed coverage of the Olyroos has raised the ire of many football fans on this website and elsewhere after we reported yesterday that the Olyroos won't receive dedicated coverage due to the network's overall coverage.
The network explained it was difficult to show uninterrupted coverage of every sport and flagged the Australians' crucial first match against Serbia on August 7 would be on a two hour delay and interrupted by a cross to the AOC flag bearing announcement. The duration and timing of this cross the station was unable to clarify.
The Olyroo games will be commentated by Seven's 'Voice of Rugby' Gordon Bray.
To see how John Aloisi's penalty might have looked on Seven...
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