Petition · past parliament

Show all Saturday football games live on TV. End the Saturday 3pm blackout law.

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

A law from 1960 bans live TV broadcasting of Saturday football games between 3pm to 5pm. At the time TV was deemed to have a negative financial effect on the clubs.

Today it's no longer relevant and even has a reverse effect as TV is the clubs' main income.

It's a major annoyance for people.

Why it was rejected

It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

We can't accept your petition because the issue you raise is not the responsibility of the Government or Parliament. This decision is the responsibility of the Football Association.

UEFA regulations allow national football associations that are members of UEFA to prohibit the transmission of any football match within their territory for two and a half hours on a Saturday or a Sunday during the football season. The decision is not based on UK law.

You can contact the FA by emailing [email protected]

Timeline

7 Jan 2018 Petition opened for signatures
12 Jan 2018 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 21
Status Rejected
Rejected 12 Jan 2018

Follow this petition

Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.

Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.