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      BT Sport’s state-of-the-art new app lets fans virtually enter Man Utd’s stadium and dressing room

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      BT SPORT’S new Match Day Experience is taking football fans behind the scenes at Premier League clubs – and even Rio Ferdinand is impressed.
      The broadcasters are harnessing the power of 5G to deliver augmented reality offerings that puts users right into the heart of areas normally out of bounds for the public.

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      Users will have a choice of where and how to access, then a portal will appear

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      Soon you will be in the Man Utd dugout, ready for the big game

      Simply lock in on a spot in your living room and suddenly a portal opens letting you walk into the dressing rooms at Elland Road or Old Trafford.
      The user is suddenly right there in the inner sanctum of the biggest clubs in England, able to explore and get a genuine feel for what the Premier League stars experience.
      Former Manchester United and England captain Ferdinand said: “The dressing room was the place where no-one was able to go so to see inside is amazing.

      “Even now, I’m intrigued to look at what the changing rooms are like right now.

      “I’ve been in there at Leeds, but I haven’t been in there for 15-18 years, wherever is. So it’s intriguing for me to get that opportunity to go in and have a look.
      “I wanted to have it and I think fans will be the same because and even looking at things like the difference in size of the home and away changing rooms.
      “There is a massive difference in like luxuriousness of a home changing compared to it away changing rooms.
      “Then when you see Old Trafford, they’ve expanded the home dressing room so much and you can see the gadgets that are in there now. For a fan to be able to see in there I think is a great added value.”

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      Fans can then get to see what the players do on match-days – under current restrictions anyway

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      Rio Ferdinand is impressed with the BT Sport app offeringCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The app feature, which will start to be available to EE subscribers this month, shows content filmed behind the scenes at all the top flight grounds, including the walk out of the tunnel onto the pitch.
      There is also the option to ‘Watch Together’ in a live split-screen experience with friends and families through Augmented Reality.
      Fans will also be able to watch the game from any angle – with an incredible new 360-degree camera feature.
      But it also involves real time stats and even a split screen function which allows pals to connect during matches while they are sat in separate homes.

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      The Man Utd trophy room might take a bit of time out of the day
      And Ferdinand says the capability to deliver real time stats will allow him to do his job as a pundit for BT Sport more easily.
      He added: “There are things that bring a bit of realism to the game, like the speed with which a player runs to get on to a ball.
      “You can see someone has scored a goal and then ‘oh, he’s running 21km an hour’.
      “All that data I can use as a pundit now as well. Normally we outsource all this data, and you’ll be waiting for it to arrive.
      “Now this is live, I get it there and then, there isn’t any waiting about.
      “I get it and can put it into what I’m looking to do at half time or full time. It really makes my job a little bit easier as well.”
      Match Day Experience on the BT Sport app, the UK’s most immersive sports viewing service, will be inclusive for new customers taking the Full Works iPhone plan with the new 5G iPhone. Visit ee.co.uk for more from October 16.

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      Football fans are missing out on the matchday experience – but that is about to change More

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      Sky Sports and BT Sport REFUSE to announce amount of pay-per-views sold in first weekend as angry fans turn off

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      SKY SPORTS and BT Sport have REFUSED to announce the amount of pay-per-views sold during the first weekend of the controversial scheme as angry fans turned off.
      The broadcasting giants have both introduced a £14.95 fee for games that would not ordinarily have been televised, starting this weekend.

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      Sky Sports and BT Sport have refused to release their PPV figures for the opening weekend

      Four games were part of the PPV plan over the weekend.
      But fuming fans promised to switch off in the build-up to them.
      Sky nor BT have failed to release the details of their PPV sales – as supporters raged at the lack of punditry for Chelsea’s 3-3 draw with Southampton.
      Manchester United’s 4-1 win over Newcastle was one of the four games on PPV this weekend.

      United legend Gary Neville refused to stump up the fee to watch.
      And angry supporters in Newcastle opted to give their £15 to local charity, NUFC Fans Food Bank.
      On Saturday alone, the charity raked in £12,000, with the weekend total rising to a staggering £19,000.

      The generous donations proved fans were more keen to spend their money on a worthwhile cause, rather than a money-making scheme from an already-mega-rich company.

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      In the weekend’s final PPV match, Burnley will take on West Brom on Monday night – again costing would-be viewers £14.95.
      But it’s likely most fans will continue their boycott – with a Change.org petition even being set up, entitled ‘Stop Pay Per View Football’.
      Broadcasters felt the need to introduce the £14.95 fee, as clubs had hoped to have at least some fans back inside stadiums by October.
      With fan-absence costing clubs an average of £100million per month, officials claimed they could no longer give away their product for free.
      Clubs were also forced to pay a rebate to broadcasters at the end of last season due to the coronavirus lockdown.

      Premier League matches will cost £14.95 on PPV Box Office channels with Man Utd and Chelsea games among first clashes More

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      BT Sport Box Office slammed by fans as £14.95 pay-per-view service had ZERO build-up before Chelsea vs Southampton

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      FURIOUS football fans turned on BT Sport after they failed to provide any build-up for Chelsea vs Southampton – while charging £14.95 to watch it.
      Frank Lampard’s side drew 3-3 against the Saints in a thriller at Stamford Bridge – the first pay-per-view style game in Premier League history.

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      Viewers were met with this message before kick-off after paying £14.95 to watch Chelsea vs Southampton

      But those supporters who coughed up the cash to watch it were raging before kick-off with BT Sport neglecting to show their usual pre-match build-up.
      There was none of the interviews with managers and players or analysis of the teams viewers are used to.
      In their place was a holding screen with the message: “Chelsea v Southampton. Coverage starts at 2.55pm.”
      The game kicked off at 3pm.

      Those watching took to social media to vent their fury – much like Spurs boss Jose Mourinho had already done.
      One user wrote: “£15 and there’s not even a build up. BT Sport have the masks on.”
      Another said: “BT Sport charging £15 for Chelsea vs Southampton, you would think that would include some pre-match build-up (interviews, analysis etc). But no… coverage starts at 2.55pm.”
      A fellow viewer posted: “Annoyed that I’ve paid the money. Won’t be doing that every week.”

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      A number of football fans were tweeting #BoycottPPV

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      One said the £14.95 fee was ‘absolutely ridiculous’

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      Fans hoping for build-up to Chelsea vs Southampton were left disappointedCredit: Reuters

      One comment read: “Wow people are paying 15 pounds to have no pre match coverage, absolutely ridiculous!”
      Another said: “If the joke of £15 for a game through @btsportfootball wasn’t bad enough, the website is atrocious, it’s a pain to find how to buy, there’s no choice of payment options, clunky checkout and there isn’t even any pre-game build-up.
      “Just tune in for kick-off and thanks for the money.”
      All in all it led to the hashtag #BoycottPPV being used by a number of viewers.
      However, BT’s Marc Allera stood by their decision to charge with fans banned from grounds as a result of coronavirus.
      Allera, chief executive of the company’s consumer division, said: “We had a suggested retail price which was suggested to us by the Premier League. We also have a cost that they’re charging us for those games.
      “We’re certainly not making significant amounts of money out of this, we’re pretty much just covering our costs.”

      Premier League matches will cost £14.95 on PPV Box Office channels with Man Utd and Chelsea games among first clashes More

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      Mourinho blasts Premier League for £14.95 TV charge as Tottenham boss ‘feels sorry for fans’ over pay-per-view decision

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      JOSE MOURINHO has joined calls for the Premier League to rethink its pay-per-view games programme.
      This weekend sees five matches take place behind a new £14.95 price barrier, even though fans are still not allowed inside grounds.

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      Jose Mourinho has criticised the advent of pay-per-view matches in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      There will be no other way for fans to watch Newcastle’s game at Manchester United tonight, with indoor household mixing also bannedCredit: PA:Press Association

      The decision reverses the opening up of every game to Sky Sports and BT Sports subscribers, a move which took place due to the coronavirus pandemic.
      And Mourinho has said he ‘feels sorry’ for fans who are once again being asked to fork out, with no other choice if they want to watch these matches.
      The Tottenham boss told reporters: “£14 is a lot of money.
      “You cannot even share with your friends as they cannot come to your house [in London].

      “It is difficult. I feel sorry for the fans.
      “But hopefully this stops quickly and we can have some people in the stadium.”

      The pay-per-view selection includes Saturday’s games between Chelsea and Southampton, and Manchester United and Newcastle.
      It comes as several areas of the country, including Liverpool, Manchester, London and Newcastle, are placed under increased lockdown restrictions.

      People from different households are no longer allowed to mix indoors amid the rise in coronavirus cases.
      Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers also criticised the plan, with the Foxes’ trip to Arsenal next weekend on Sky’s Box Office channel.
      He said: “I’m disappointed for supporters, at the moment it’s already very difficult for them.
      “If you can’t afford to pay that, then you don’t get to see the game.

      If people are unhappy with indoor performances going ahead with social distancing, that is a separate question.
      Oliver DowdenUK Sports Minister

      “If it is in place now then I hope it’s not going to be for a sustained period of time.”
      The only matches going behind the added paywall are those not already selected for live broadcast.
      Football clubs are pushing for fans to return to venues, potentially making the PPV games obsolete.
      But the Government has knocked back plans to allow fans to return – even while allowing certain indoor events to take place.
      Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, has admitted there is a discrepancy between the treatment of indoor and outdoor crowds.
      He said in the week: “The very clear advice was that at this stage of the disease, we should be imposing restrictions.

      “We are doing things that are positively hateful, but the reason we are doing it is to secure public safety.”
      He added: “If we had socially distancing for sport that is a lot of people coming week in and week out going to sports stadiums up and down the country.
      “There are actually very few socially distanced indoor performances going on. They are not massively financially viable.
      “If people are unhappy with indoor performances going ahead with social distancing, that is a separate question of whether you stop them.”

      Premier League matches will cost £14.95 on PPV Box Office channels with Man Utd and Chelsea games among first clashes More

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      BT Sport and EE launch ‘game-changing’ new way to watch football, including Augmented Reality and 360-degree cameras

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      BT SPORT and EE have promised fans football will never feel the same after revealing plans for their incredible ‘Match Day Experience’.
      The broadcasters will unveil the new tech on their app next weekend as part of a tie-up with Apple’s new iPhone12 and EE.

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      BT Sport and EE are releasing an incredible new app for football fansCredit: BT Sport / EE

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      Fans can track stats and watch matches from all anglesCredit: BT Sport / EE

      The all-new experience has come to fruition as part of plans to keep fans engaged while unable to watch games live due to coronavirus.
      Through the app, fans will be invited into the virtual heart of their club’s inner sanctum.
      Supporters will be able to enjoy a rare glimpse of previously hidden parts of the ground, including dressing rooms and the manager’s dugout.
      On top of that, fans will be able to see groundbreaking, real-time, in-game stats and graphics.

      There is also the option to ‘Watch Together’ in a live split-screen experience with friends and families through Augmented Reality.
      Fans will also be able to watch the game from any angle – with an incredible new 360-degree camera feature.
      Ex-Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand was part of the launch team.
      And BT consumer division chief exec Marc Allera said: “It will bring every aspect of a match to [fans’] fingertips.

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      Fans will be welcomed into behind the scenes areas including manager dugouts and dressing roomsCredit: BT Sport / EE

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      Rugby is also set to be given the full treatment, as well as footballCredit: BT Sport / EE

      “It means you can watch a game with your mates, while remaining socially distanced in your own front room.”
      The new scheme will first be available for West Ham’s Premier League clash against Manchester City on October 24.
      From there, the plan is to expand into the Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup and even rugby.
      *MATCH Day Experience on the BT Sport app will be inclusive for new customers taking the Full Works iPhone plan with the new 5G iPhone on EE.

      Five Man Utd players who could be set for transfers in next 24 hours including Romero, Phil Jones and Jesse Lingard More

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      Premier League chief blames Sky Sports and BT Sport for £14.95 PPV fee – but the plan won’t be shelved despite backlash

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      PREM chiefs and broadcasters remain at odds over who set the £14.95 pay-per-view rates coming in this weekend.
      But there is no sign of the policy being shelved despite a fan and Government backlash.

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      Richard Masters has blamed Sky Sports and BT Sports for the £14.95 PPVCredit: PA:Press Association

      League chief executive Richard Masters insisted the per match charge, which kicks off with Chelsea’s home clash with Southampton on Sunday, was “set” by the broadcasters, Sky and BT.
      He said: “We are obviously aware of the commercial model that was put in place and we had substantive conversations with BT and Sky about that.
      “But we can’t set prices. Broadcasters have to set the retail price of their own products. That’s the law.”
      BT chief Marc Allera, though, explained: “We had a suggested retail price which was suggested to us by the Premier League.

      “We also have a cost that they’re charging us for those games. We’re certainly not making significant amounts of money out of this, we’re pretty much just covering our costs.
      “The intent of the Premier League to put these games on was to get some money moving into some of the clubs and leagues that are struggling.
      “That’s a good intent, and that’s reflected in the price that they’re charging us, while the price that we charge basically reflects the need for us to cover our costs.”
      Masters cited the “Premier League production values” and the fact that games that would otherwise have gone untelevised live will not be screened.

      And Allera added: “Our objective is to help the Premier League and the football ecosystem, helping them move money to places where it’s needed.
      “It’s our job just to put them on and give those fans that can’t go to the stadiums the chance to watch those games.
      “Whether it’s a few thousand or a few hundred thousand, it is still money that is going back into football and we’re pleased to be playing our part in that.”

      Arteta opens door for Arsene Wenger to return to Arsenal after helping shape club into Premier League giants More

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      Premier League could make shock U-turn on £14.95 PPV plan amid fear of illegal streaming and spike in coronavirus cases

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      THE Premier League could make a shock U-turn on their £14.95 pay-per-view plan due to the fear of illegal streaming and a rise in coronavirus cases, according to reports.
      Nineteen of the 20 clubs voted in favour of making all matches available to watch up until the end of October.

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      The Premier League could be pushed into a dramatic U-turn over plans to broadcast matches not selected for TV at £14.95 per gameCredit: PA:Press Association

      Leicester’s CEO Susan Whelan was the only chief to oppose the proposal in Friday’s shareholder meeting.
      But it means matches not selected for TV coverage will be on Sky Sports or BT Sport Box Office at almost £15 a match.
      And that would see viewers having to fork out a staggering £283 per month to watch every Premier League game.
      The Mail on Sunday report a reconsideration of the plans could be put forward at another meeting this week.

      And with pubs being exempt from the individual charges, The Telegraph add that the threat of fans flocking together to watch their team is a cause for concern with Covid-19.
      Prof Gabriel Scally, a leading public health expert and member of the Independent Sage group, told The Telegraph: “It would be a very bad substitute to have fans gathering indoors.
      “It does certainly appear to be a situation that would encourage fans to put themselves potentially at risk.
      “We do know that a significant proportion of transmission is associated with the hospitality industry and pubs in particular.”

      Steve Brine, the Conservative MP and member of Parliament’s digital, culture, media and sport select committee, said: “These are the worst of times and the Premier League has done much to lift spirits but this is not their finest hour.
      “It will encourage people to gather together and that’s just not the spirit of right now in my opinion.”
      Gary Neville slammed the top flight for its ‘really bad move’ while others proclaimed ‘football is dead’ after the announcement.
      The backlash, especially on social media with many fans already paying for season tickets, led plenty to suggest they will simply find illegal streams online instead.
      And the threat of fans opting to source matches through unofficial means has struck fear into Premier League bosses.
      Football finance expert Kieran Maguire, author of The Price of Football, told the BBC: “It is going to drive people towards piracy.
      “It discriminates against the clubs that don’t tend to be on Sky Sports or BT that often.
      “The Premier League’s argument, which is that EFL clubs are charging £10 [on the iFollow platform] so we should be charging more because we have more cameras, is also flawed.

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      “The cameras were already going to be there because the matches would have been shown on Match of the Day anyway, so the set-up costs would be minimal.”
      Premier League clubs claim they cannot afford to keep offering the extra matches at no additional cost – as has been the case since the restart in June – especially as pressure mounts on an EFL bailout.
      Paul Barber, chief executive at Brighton, said: “The PPV offering also potentially provides all fans with access to away fixtures that they might not have got to see even in normal times.
      “This is a short-term measure, let’s not forget that. Our priority is to get fans back in the stadium as soon as possible.
      “I don’t know of any businesses that are expected to give away their core product for free, and least of all when jobs and livelihoods are threatened everywhere.
      “We are trying to be fair to fans, while also protecting our business, and the jobs of our staff, as we work through an unprecedented crisis.”

      Premier League matches will cost £14.95 on PPV Box Office channels with Man Utd and Chelsea games among first clashes More

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      Leicester were ONLY club to vote against PPV games as Prem sides deny claims Man Utd chief Ed Woodward was against plans

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      LEICESTER were the ONLY club to vote against proposals to charge fans an extra £14.95 to watch Premier League games in the coming weeks.
      Premier League sides – who have just spent £1.24BILLION in the transfer market – have agreed to put 15 matches behind an extra paywall.

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      Leicester coach Brendan Rodgers and chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, part of the only club to vote against the planCredit: Getty – Contributor

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      Reports suggest Ed Woodward’s Manchester United were against PPV charges – but they still voted in favour of themCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      On top of subscriptions to Sky Sports and BT Sport, hard-up supporters are being asked to shell out an extra £14.95 each time their team is not picked by broadcasters.
      With fans not allowed into grounds amid a health and financial crisis, league and television bosses had previously agreed to allow every game to go out live around the country.
      Some were even made free-to-air via the BBC – in a move widely welcomed by fans during the coronavirus pandemic.
      WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR:

      However, Premier League sides agreed by a 19-to-1 vote on Friday to reverse the decision.
      Leicester have been named as the only team to oppose the “interim” agreement.
      Top-tier sides will gain fresh income thanks to the agreement, by taking any profit after covering broadcasters’ costs of around £100,000 per game.
      In a statement confirming the decision, the Premier League said: “Clubs today agreed this interim solution to enable all fans to continue to watch their teams live.

      “The Premier League has worked closely with Sky Sports and BT Sport to provide this arrangement and is grateful for their support.

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      “This agreement will be regularly reviewed in consultation with clubs and in line with any decisions made by Government regarding the return of spectators to stadiums.
      “Football is not the same without supporters at matches. The Premier League and our clubs remain committed to the safe return of fans as soon as possible.”
      Sky and BT will show the extra games on their Box Office channels, with 15 announced throughout October and early November.
      League bosses have pointed to EFL teams broadcasting each of their games for £10 since the pandemic hit, via iFollow.
      And the Box Office broadcasts will be relatively similar to the lower league offerings with no build-up or punditry planned.
      Leicester fans welcomed news of their club turning down the offer but, like many others, were left fuming with the decision.

      Twitter user Amar wrote: “Absolute farce the price for them but at least you stood up for us, shame other clubs didn’t join.”
      While Ella commented: “As the only voters against it I think Leicester’s games should be free.”
      And another fan tweeted: “Absolute joke.”
      The Foxes are on Sky Sports Box Office for the next two matchdays, with a trip to Aston Villa and game against Arsenal.

      Premier League matches will cost £14.95 on PPV Box Office channels with Man Utd and Chelsea games among first clashes More