FOOTBALL fans in Spain risk missing out on the World Cup because of a bungle over television rights.

With less then a month to go before the kick-off, a new television channel called LaSexta has caused national outrage by failing to ensure that fans will be able to watch the national team on free-to-air television.

The prospect has caused alarm in a country where football touches almost every aspect of life. Football fans, political parties and television viewers’ groups have asked the Spanish Government to intervene.

LaSexta, a terrestrial channel whose major shareholder is Grupo Televisa, the Mexican broadcaster, was awarded the rights to show the tournament by Fifa. But despite a big programme to introduce the new channel across Spain it has reached homes in only 55 per cent of the country. Even those viewers who live within LaSexta’s catchment areas are required to adjust their television aerials. The only alternative for football fans will be to subscribe to those satellite channels that will also show some of the games.

Under Spanish law, television channels bidding for rights to air free coverage of big national events such as the World Cup must be able to demonstrate they can reach 95 per cent of the population. Amid stiff competition from other channels, Fifa granted the television rights to LaSexta on the condition that it could guarantee free coverage of all Spain’s games and the semi-final and final of the competition. At the time LaSexta said that

100 per cent of Spaniards would be able to see the World Cup for free.

Alejandro Perales, president of the Spanish Communication Users’ Association, has demanded that the Government act to force LaSexta to comply with the law and to ensure that all Spaniards can cheer on their team for free.

When LaSexta started last year, it was expected to reach 70 per cent of the population but many rural areas will be left without any coverage of its programme. Others will have to rely on set-top boxes to receive the channel. But these are in short supply and can cost up to €500 (£340). Comparable set-top boxes in Britain sell for as little as £30.

Jesús Merino, an opposition Popular Party deputy, is to present a motion to the Spanish Parliament this week calling on the Government to take rapid action. He said: “The haste with which the Government granted a licence to business interests allied to the Government for LaSexta just goes to show what a technical botch job it was.” José Miguel Contreras, LaSexta’s chief executive, said that the competition would be available to viewers with a “simple adjustment” to aerials.

Times Recommends

• Michael Jackson: Not the final chapter
• Indian Army spends10m rupees on golf buggies
• Brüno toned down for 15 rating