The English and Scottish FAs have lifted their bans on the televised broadcasting of Saturday 3pm football fixtures for the remainder of the season, in a move that suggests both bodies are preparing for a possible resumption of domestic football behind closed doors amid the Covid-19 pandemic, reports SportBusiness.

The decision paves the way for pay-television broadcasters Sky and BT Sport to show 3pm Saturday Premier League matches, while BT and public service broadcaster the BBC could show matches from the domestic knock-out competition the FA Cup that kick off at that time.

English Football League clubs would also be able to show 3pm matches on the EFL's OTT streaming service, iFollow.

It had previously been reported that the Premier League could ask Sky and BT to show the 3pm matches on a decrypted signal to allow the widest possible coverage if matches resumed without crowds as a result of the pandemic. But the broadcasters would still be expected to block coverage in pubs to prevent fans congregating in those premises.