FC Sion v Ajax will not be available to watch for free on Thursday: Ajax fans react furiously
FC Sion's Conference League play-off against Ajax will not be shown on Ziggo Sport on Thursday evening, the broadcaster announced on Monday night. Instead, viewers can watch the match on KIJK for a one-off fee of 4.99 euros.
"On Thursday evening, 20 August, at 20:15, Ajax play the away match against Swiss side FC Sion in the play-offs for a place in the UEFA Conference League," Ziggo Sport wrote in a statement.
"This match is not part of the UEFA European football package, meaning the home club can sell the broadcast rights to the highest bidder. As a result, the Conference League play-offs fall outside Ziggo Sport's broadcasting rights and this Ajax away match will not be broadcast by Ziggo Sport this time."
"The all-decisive home match at the Johan Cruijff Arena, next Thursday 27 August at 20:00, will be broadcast live by Ziggo Sport and will be available to everyone via Ziggo Sport Free."
"Ziggo Sport always broadcasts the matches of Dutch clubs within the UEFA European football package live on the free-to-air channel and via Ziggo Sport Free, as well as the finals of UEFA European football, so that every football fan can watch."
Soon after Ziggo's statement, it emerged that Thursday night's match will be available on KIJK. Viewers will have to buy a one-off ticket for 4.99 euros to watch it.
Viewers' reaction
A flood of reactions and complaints followed under Ziggo Sport's post announcing the news. "Some sponsor you are, then," one person said. Others wrote: "You are my main sponsor, we pay through the nose" and "Just when you think it can't get any crazier. What a world."
Another user added: "Haha, as the biggest fan channel you have to apologise because you're not broadcasting your own club. Because you think it's too expensive."
