Kick off for France Game Changed!

**Eire06** · 06/09/2005, 8:33 AM

Kick off has been changed to 19:55 to faciliate French tv!!

Sounds a bit mad but just heard it on the Radio..
Not on really changing the time to suit them

From Fai website

Kick-off put back ten minutes
The FAI today asked supporters to take note of a change in the kick-off time for Wednesday's World Cup qualifying tie between Ireland and France at Lansdowne Road.

The match will kick-off at 7.55 pm and not as previously stated.

**cullenswood** · 06/09/2005, 8:46 AM

Don't think 10 minutes is going to make any difference to anyone really, and it's not as if the French team will get a lift out of getting the game delayed a few minutes.

**Jerry The Saint** · 06/09/2005, 8:46 AM

You know, if this is true, they really shouldn't publicise it. Hopefully people will still think it's the usual 7.30 kick-off and may even make it into the ground in time for the anthems...

**stickyjoe** · 06/09/2005, 8:51 AM

Can`t really blame the FAI for changing it by just 10 minutes to accomodate French Television. They are reportedly paying 1.6m for the rights to the game.

The later it starts the better

**Peadar** · 06/09/2005, 8:59 AM

Originally Posted by stickyjoe

The later it starts the better

The later it starts, the darker it gets and the better the atmosphere, in my opinion.

**livehead1** · 06/09/2005, 9:08 AM

more pre-match drinking time

...carr mite actually look good if it was kicking off at lets say 10,lol..few bulmers by then

**thejollyrodger** · 06/09/2005, 9:26 AM

The money is needed in fairness

**pete** · 06/09/2005, 9:34 AM

�1.6 million for 10 minutes is good business. The extra 10 minutes will make it easier for people to get to the game after work 'n stuff too, maybe extra beer beforehand to get thre atmosphere going...

**paul_oshea** · 06/09/2005, 9:53 AM

ya its far better, i dont know why they dont kick off at 8 full stop.

**geysir** · 06/09/2005, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by pete

�1.6 million for 10 minutes is good business..

�1.6m for the tv rights including the 10 minute delay

French journalist reported an incredible interest in the game in France, anticipates around 16m viewing figures.

**Armando** · 06/09/2005, 11:16 AM

I thought it was originally a 7.30 kick off? That would make it a 25 minute delay.
I really hope the majority of fans just go by the kick off on their tickets and are oblivious to the rescheduled time - get the stadium packed out in advance. And those of you planning to squeeze in an extra pint, please don't let it be at the expense of turning up at least 20 mins before kick off. Could you imagine if we had a full stadium baying for blood during the warm up, instead of the usual morgue at that stage of proceedings. That would really send the jitters through the french players and there couldn't be better inspiration for our boys going back into the dressing room.
I personally know 12 people going to the game and I have impressed on them all the need to turn up 30 minutes before kick off. They have all assured me they will do this. So spread the word and get onto everyone you know going to the game. Even if you only persuade one person you'll have made a difference.

**pete** · 06/09/2005, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

�1.6m for the tv rights including the 10 minute delay

French journalist reported an incredible interest in the game in France, anticipates around 16m viewing figures.

I thought the FAI got something like 5-6m for the TV rights?

**NeilMcD** · 06/09/2005, 12:07 PM

No it originally was 7.45

**Peadar** · 06/09/2005, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by pete

I thought the FAI got something like 5-6m for the TV rights?

Do Sky Sports not own the TV rights at the moment?
Surely it's thier footage that French TV will be getting?
I'd imagine they'll get money from this deal too??

**thejollyrodger** · 06/09/2005, 12:22 PM

wouldnt it be great to beat france with all those viewers watching

lets hope they dont beat us

**pineapple stu** · 06/09/2005, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by Armando

I thought it was originally a 7.30 kick off? That would make it a 25 minute delay.

Pretty sure that's right. All the other games have been 7:30 - don't see why this one'd've been different. Aertel says 25 minutes but the FAI say ten minutes. Not sure who I trust out of those two to be honest!

**stickyjoe** · 06/09/2005, 12:43 PM

match was originially scheduled for 7.45 because of tv as well. 7.45 is the time on the tickets

**geysir** · 06/09/2005, 1:10 PM

Originally Posted by pete

I thought the FAI got something like 5-6m for the TV rights?

According to the Indo,
* THE kick-off at Lansdowne Road has been moved back to 7.55pm at the request of French television station TF1, who have paid over �1m to the FAI for the rights to show the match. The station, who are expecting a massive audience for the game, have increased the price of advertising slots around the game by 10 per cent.
Gerry McDermott
IF that is true then that means the FAI retain the privilage to sell the rights on to other nations and not SKY.