British Football Coverage: Is Attendance Falling Or Are Fans Being Ripped Off?

The off-season is a painful time for many. Shopping with the better half, no drinking with the mates on a Saturday night after another battle in the local park and more than anything, not much football on the telly.

But after my recent move to the United Kingdom, I have serious doubts about how much quality football I'll see during the season anyway.

In South Africa, I could see the English Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1 and the Portuguese League. Also international matches, African leagues and the very best of the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Cup.

Actually, I had a whole football channel at my disposal as well as channels to show the overflow.

I had the option of at least six EPL games every weekend! Live!

The other four ties would be shown on Saturday or Sunday before midnight to complete the coverage. Amazingly, on some occasions, a whole days fixtures are often shown in full before those of you in Britain have sat down to watch Match of the Day!

Supersport's coverage of football is led by such recognizable names as former England and Manchester United goalkeeper Gary Bailey, England World Cup winner, Terry Paine and former Charlton striker, Shaun Bartlett.

So six live English games plus one Championship match up is just a start. Add that to three or four Spanish games, two Italian matches, two French games and every Portuguese top flight games live every weekend!

We won't even go as far as the League and FA Cups, Community Shield or Championship playoffs!

So here is my question to you. Is the British public being ripped off or is it important to curb the amount of football on television to help stadium attendance?

Oh and in South Africa, there is no such thing as "pay per view!"