Controversy over the broadcasting of Argentinean teams’ matches in the Copa Sudamericana

The contestation of the third date of South American Cup this week has provoked the anger of fans of at least three major teams in Argentine football. It didn’t have to do with a sporting result, but with the inability to access the television of the meetings of students of La Plata, Newell’s AND San Lorenzo d’Almagrowhich feeds the doubts about how the matter will continue in the coming weeks.

The Sudamericana, one of the most important football competitions on the continent, has Argentina as representatives in the current edition San Lorenzo, Huracán, Defense and Justice, Newell’s, Tigre, Estudiantes de La Plata and Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata.

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During the first two days of competition, their matches were broadcast for all cable television systems in the country, without any kind of exclusivity. These fights have been broadcast on DirecTV, Flow and ESPN.

Last week it became known that, despite the existence of an agreement for the broadcasting of matches also on cable TV systems, there would be a refusal to sell by the right holders.

Thus, due to these restrictions, many fans were left without seeing Estudiantes’ draw against Bragantino in Brazil on Tuesday and Newell’s heartbreaking victory against Santos in Rosario.

The same thing happens this Wednesday with the visit of San Lorenzo to Palestino de Chile.

The press release of the cable operators

In the midst of the dispute, cable operators have stated that more than 70% of Argentinian fans They will not be able to see much of the South American, which goes against what Conmebol and communicated that their interest is always that their competitions can be seen with the widest possible distribution.

“Flow informs that it will not be able to broadcast several matches of the Argentine teams that are playing the Copa Sudamericana, after broadcasting the first 2 complete dates. The rights holders have expressed their refusal to sell them to our platform. We are sorry that this This decision, which is beyond our control and which we have tried unsuccessfully to reverse, affects our more than 3 million customers,” the aforementioned cable operator said in a press release on Monday.

“We will continue to work for FLOW to be the leading entertainment, music and gaming platform in Argentina,” he stressed.

Anger of the members of San Lorenzo

In this situation, ​Late Tuesday evening, San Lorenzo announced an agreement with DirecTV Sports, one of its sponsors, so that its partners can watch the match broadcast.

“#SanLorenzo has good news for all members and fans: their sponsor @DIRECTVLA is giving them the chance to watch the match against Palestino for FREE, for the South American Cup. They just have to subscribe to DGO and they’ll get one month free to watch this match Wednesday and access many other contents: other Cup matches, Sub 20 World Cup, European championships, Copa del Rey final…
To take advantage of this benefit, go to http://directvgo.com The offer is valid only for Argentina”was the text circulating on social networks.

However, when Cyclone fans wanted to get in, they realized they had to load up on a debit or credit card, as once their free month was up, they would start paying for the service.

The responses and demonstrations of the Barça fans weren’t the best and the vast majority preferred to look for other alternatives to be able, at least, to accompany the trip to Chile by Ruben Daría Insua’s team.