Sir Keir Starmer has known as on TNT Sports to make subsequent Saturday’s Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris St-Germain free-to-air.
The UK prime minister has written the broadcaster to “strongly urge you to reconsider” a call to make the final obtainable to subscribers solely.
Every earlier final for the reason that Champions League format was launched to the European Cup in 1992 has been made obtainable to watch freed from cost within the UK.
In a letter to TNT executives, Starmer wrote: “I was saddened to see that, for the first time since the competition started 34 years ago, TNT Sports has decided that [the fixture] will not be free to watch for football supporters here in the UK.”
Last week, it was revealed that followers would need a subscription to watch all three European membership finals, to which TNT holds the rights.
Starmer – who’s an Arsenal fan – wrote: “The Champions League is the biggest club football competition in the world and rightly means a lot to fans in this country – the home of football.
“I’m a agency believer that the final of this competitors ought to stay free to watch, whether or not Arsenal have made it or not.
“Obviously, I want as many fellow fans as possible to be able to watch our team in this historic final for the first time in 20 years. However, this is bigger than that.
“This is about supporters of all groups coming collectively in dwelling rooms and pubs in each nook of the nation to watch essentially the most elite gamers in Europe battle it out.
“Hard-working people should not have to worry about forking out for a subscription to watch a game of this magnitude.
“We needs to be placing supporters first. That is why I’ve already inspired Fifa to do extra to make tickets extra reasonably priced at this summer time’s World Cup.
“That is also why I want to strongly urge you to reconsider and make the final next Saturday free to watch for the millions of passionate football fans in this country.”
Fans additionally wanted a TNT subscription to watch Aston Villa win the Europa League final final week, and the identical will apply to the Conference League final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.
In an announcement, TNT Sports mentioned: “It has been a privilege to bring Uefa club competitions to sports fans across the UK throughout the season.
“Having three Premier League golf equipment attain the finals exhibits the power of English soccer and one thing that we’re proud to proceed to help.
“We have made all three Uefa finals this year available from just £4.99, the price for a month-long subscription to HBO Max that also includes the great entertainment on the service. This represents exceptional value for fans to watch the conclusion of the competitions.”