SuperSport to screen 350 football matches before end of July as Premier League returns
With the English Premier League finally back after three months hiatus, no thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, SuperSport will be broadcasting 350 football fixtures from the three major leagues and the UEFA Champions League before the end of July.
On Wednesday night, when Aston Villa host Sheffield Wednesday, it signalled a welcome return for Premier League football, which has been shuttered since March 9.
With 92 matches between now and the end of July, which includes a feast of top clashes this week, among them Manchester City-Arsenal (Wednesday), Spurs versus Manchester United (Friday) and the famed Merseyside derby – Everton against Liverpool – on Sunday, football fans can count on SuperSport for the live actions.
As with the return of all major international sport, Covid-19 protocols will be strictly enforced around the Premiership.
Players will be reminded to maintain social distancing wherever possible outside of the normal play of a match, including goal celebrations. While the bumping of elbows will not be prohibited, players have been asked to keep touching to a minimum. Players must keep their distance from the referee and coaching staff have been told to stay away from the fourth official.
Players will be encouraged to use hand sanitiser before and after matches and avoid spitting or nose-clearing.
For fans at home, simulated chants and crowd noises designed for specific teams will be part of the broadcasts given the prevailing no-crowds policy.
Italian Serie A football also returns this weekend, which means that the world’s three major leagues will all be up and running in coming days, with a glut of action on SuperSport guaranteed. Already, 10 La Liga matches were played this past week, producing an astonishing 25 goals, with another 100 games lined up.
In all, SuperSport will broadcast around 350 matches until the end of July, which includes Serie A games, English Football League Championship fixtures, seven FA Cup ties and Champions League, whose plans for a mini-tournament conclusion are being finalised this week and would add 14 more fixtures.
THIS WEEK’S PL FIXTURES
Friday, June 19: Norwich v Southampton; Tottenham v Manchester United.
Saturday, June 20: Watford v Leicester; Brighton v Arsenal; West Ham v Wolves; Bournemouth v Crystal Palace.
Sunday, June 21: Newcastle v Sheffield United; Aston Villa v Chelsea; Everton v Liverpool.
Monday, June 22: Manchester City v Burnley.
For more details on these matches and other LIVE sporting action, visit www.supersport.com and follow the social media updates on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook using the hashtag #LiveSportReturns. You can also stream live matches on DStv Now.
To renew your subscription or switch your packages, visit www.dstvafrica.com and www.gotvafrica.com Download the MyDStv app or MyGOtv app from the iOS and Android store for self-service options.
