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Coronavirus: Empty stadiums could bring free TV coverage

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Sky and BT believe they may be requested to show sporting events for free, even if they are played in empty venues amid the coronavirus crisis.

One of the major considerations – as has happened in Italy – will be for the Premier League to ban spectators from going to games , with potential plans being drawn up to ensure fans will still be able to watch their teams in action.

And The Times claims broadcasters are likely to be urged to make matches free-to-air.

A host of subscription TV channels will attend a meeting with football, tennis, cricket and rugby officials on Monday to discuss the issues and believe they will be asked to broadcast games free of charge.

Longer-term planning concerned with Wimbledon and England Tests will also commence should coronavirus continue to pose a danger to those attending sporting events.

The meeting will be hosted by the government, and will weigh up the possibility of hosting clashes behind closed doors or calling them off altogether.

The top flight authorities have drawn up contingency plans to deal with the crisis. Elderly people could be recommended to reconsider attending fixtures, and the pre-match handshake tradition has been axed.

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Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!"

Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon