FA website to stream live FA Cup match

The Football Association is to broadcast a live FA Cup match free of charge on its website on Saturday 7 November.

The game between Oldham and Leeds will be streamed live on the site, with both teams receiving a a £67,500 live broadcast fee.

Two-first round matches will be shown Live on ITV, with the FA screening the Oldham v Leeds tie following the collapse of Setanta earlier this year.

Earlier this month, the FA broadcast the England Under-21 international against Macedonia live on its website.

Ian Whatmore, FA chief executive, said: “We’re excited to be broadcasting live matches on the internet once again.”

England’s recent World Cup qualifier against Ukraine was made available by internet firm Perform across a number of national newspaper websites on a pay-per-view basis after rights holder Kentaro failed to agree a deal with another broadcaster, such as ITV or the BBC.

International agency Kentaro acquired the rights to the match after the pay-TV platform Setanta collapsed.  The agency appointed Perform to stream the game live on the internet to fans who were willing to buy a subscription pass for as much as £11.99.