POOLS COMPANIES AND COPYRIGHT PAYMENTS TO THE SCOTTISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE

That this House is concerned at the unilateral decision taken by Littlewoods, Vernons and Zetters football pools companies to cease payment to the Scottish Football League of copyright payments for the right to use SFL fixtures in their games; notes that, for this season, the SFL was scheduled to receive around ú600,000, which would have meant an income of some ú20,000 for each club; recognises that 20 per cent. of the SFL's commercial income comes from this source and that this decision will have a major impact on the finances of every member club of the SFL; believes that the three pools companies should reverse their decision and give the SFL an assurance that the money they owe will be paid in full; and calls upon the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to intervene to effect a resolution.