Rural football fans will lose out says rural watchdog

The Country Land and Business Association says that rural football fans will lose out because they will not be able to watch their national team on Saturday due to non existent or slow broadband.

England’s World Cup qualifier in Ukraine will be shown exclusively live on the internet, and will cost fans at least £4.99.

The rural watchdog’s South Leicestershire based spokesman, Tim Barnes-Clay, said: "Even if they are willing to pay, many fans in rural areas simply cannot access the fast connection required to be able to watch streaming television over the internet. This is a fine example of the way the world is moving, with an increasing amount of services, business, recreation and social activity being delivered via the internet.

"There is an increasing risk that we are creating a divided society – those who can access high speed broadband, and those who cannot. Needless to say, many of the latter will be rural dwellers.

"This is another example of either an ignorant assumption that everyone who wants to can watch in this way, or an arrogant disregard for those who can’t. The countryside must not be left behind in this technological age."