Fans have reacted angrily after the Community Shield was put behind a paywall.
For the first time since 2021 the annual curtain raiser was shown on non-terrestrial television, with TNT Sports screening the Wembley fixture between FA Cup winners Crystal Palace and Premier League champions Liverpool.
The shift was part of the new deal between the FA signed with the broadcaster to show the FA Cup in March. It includes some free-to-air matches on other channels.
Angry, would-be viewers flocked to social media to criticise the move, pointing out that it appeared at odds with the ethos of the Community Shield, from which proceeds are handed to charities.
‘This is a disgrace,’ said one, ‘this is a game that should be free and accessible to everyone’.
Leon Legge, the former Cambridge United and Port Vale defender, joined the chorus of outrage.
Fans have reacted angrily after the Community Shield was put behind a paywall on Sunday
For the first time since 2021 the annual curtain raiser was shown on non-terrestrial television
‘So the Community Shield is on today, yet the whole of the football community can’t watch it unless you have subscription to TNT,’ he posted on X.
Others described the decision as ironic, with one stating: ‘The Community Shield cannot be seen by the community, apart from a relatively tiny number of TNT Sports viewers. Not even the highlights anywhere else. Poor.’
The FA have been approached for comment.