The BBC has joined with ITV in calling for all qualifying matches involving home nations to be reserved for live broadcast on free-to-air television, reports The Guardian. "We suggest the advisory panel considers adding to the A List … the live nations' home and away qualifiers for the World Cup and European Championship [in each nation]. We feel this strikes a balance between public sentiment and market impact," it said.

But mandating all the home associations to only sell their rights to free-to-air broadcasters would drastically reduce competition in the market and thus drive down prices.

Such a move would also be opposed by Sky, ESPN and other pay-TV broadcasters. Under its current deal, the FA realised £425m from ITV and Setanta, although it is now faced with retendering part of the contract following the collapse of the pay-TV broadcaster.