3PM SATURDAY

Last updated : 24 June 2003 By editor

The Independent Manchester United Supporters' Association are to meet with Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore over concerns about the proposed new television schedule.

The number of matches which will be shown live from 2004 will rise from the current 106 games - which includes 40 on pay-per-view - to 138.The league believe the new deals will see more televised matches on Saturdays, fewer on other days of the week, yet will continue to protect the Saturday 3pm-5pm slot from live transmission.

United played at 3pm on Saturday only 10 times in the Barclaycard Premiership last season.Across the recommended TV packages, broadcasters will now be able to show the club live 25 times. That means before changes for other reasons United will be down to 13 3pm Saturday kick-offs.

IMUSA chair Jules Spencer said:

"We had a great response to our 3pm campaign last season from all sections of United's support, from teenagers to the disabled. This is a real kick in the teeth for us."

Press officer Mark Longden added:

"The Premier League will argue that they had to increase the number of games to satisfy the EU competition enquiry so the they could retain the collective deal. How can it be a collective deal when United were on TV 23 times last season and Charlton five times with the associated difference in revenues gained?

"IMUSA would settled for 138 live games if they were split evenly between the 20 Premier League clubs making 14 live games each which is more than the 50% 3pm kick-offs we are asking for. Richard Scudamore has agreed to meet IMUSA. We hope this meeting takes place soon before any deal is signed and we are stuck with it for three years."