- Slater was furious that the Socceroos World Cup qualifier was behind a paywall
- Says the Matildas are getting ‘the royal treatment’ from Network 10
- Encourages Football Australia to take a stand against Network 10
Australian football legend Robbie Slater has criticized Network 10 for their treatment of the Socceroos, who he says are trying to capitalize on the Matildas’ widespread popularity.
The Socceroos recorded a 2-0 win over Bangladesh in sweltering conditions last week, but many fans in Australia were left frustrated as they couldn’t see it.
The World Cup qualifier took place behind a paywall on Paramount Plus, meaning fans had to log into the streaming service to watch Graham Arnold play.
“It was a shame that you could only watch the Socceroos’ match against Bangladesh on Thursday evening on Paramount+, 10’s streaming service,” Slater wrote in a column for News Corp.
Robbie Slater (pictured) says it was a shame Australian fans had to log into Paramount+ to watch a World Cup qualifier
Slater says Network 10’s motivation in signing a new deal with Football Australia is to capitalize on the Matildas’ huge popularity
‘I got calls from people who wanted to see the match but couldn’t. The game should have been on 10’s main channel, or at least on 10 Bold or 10 Peach.
‘With the Matildas, however, it’s a completely different story. They get the royal treatment even for friendly matches from 10 onwards, as we saw in the two-match series against China.
‘The Socceroos weren’t playing a friendly against Bangladesh, it was a World Cup qualifier, a match that really meant something.’
Slater went on to say that Network 10 is doing whatever it wants with the Socceroos and A-League games and seemingly getting away with it.
“FA (Football Australia) must do what is right for the game in Australia as the custodians of the sport in this country,” Slater wrote.
“But by allowing Network 10 to continue to treat the Australian football community with contempt, FA is not doing what is right for the sport.
“While FA may not get as much money for selling the Socceroos and Matildas broadcast rights to another broadcaster, in the long run football will be better off in Australia.
Slater says the Matildas will get ‘the royal treatment’ from 10 onwards, even for friendlies
‘The problem is that the FA can’t see that at the moment, and are apparently happy to put up with Network 10’s ugly treatment of the Socceroos and our domestic leagues as long as the price is right.’
The Socceroos’ final qualifying match is against Palestine on June 11 and that match will be shown live on 10, 10 Play and Paramount Plus.