The Taioseach threatened legal action yesterday to stop Sky's exclusive deal with Irish football authorities. Ahern, a Manchester United fan, said Irish supporters had the legal right to watch live Ireland games for free. The Football Association of Ireland, which has sold the rights to Sky Sports for 7.5 million euros, is seeking legal advice before replying to Ahern's criticisms.
In Dublin yesterday the Taoiseach said: 'Our position is that we believe the legal position is clearly on our side - and, if we have to, we will impose that position. I am not trying to take any money away from the FAI - the best of luck to them. They need money and have outlined to us their problems, which we acknowledge. The position for us is that we have a clear law in this country and a clear European Union directive. That means that the people of this country are entitled to watch major events free to air.'
The FAI has said the Sky offer was 'too good to turn down'. The football authorities say the Sky revenue will be reinvested into League of Ireland sides, which are crippled with debt due to falling gate receipts.
Sky's deal will be in place for Ireland's first European Championship qualifier with Switzerland in October. It costs 40 euros a month to subscribe to Sky's sports package with the installation of the dish costing a further 100 euros.
There are 232,000 Sky subscribers in Ireland, who like everyone else until now have also enjoyed international games free of charge.