NEWCASTLE Jets have been forced to cancel a livestream of the friendly against Broadmeadow Magic on Wednesday night due to Football Federation Australia’s exclusive broadcast deal with Fox Sports.
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More than 15,000 viewers tuned in to the BarTV Sports coverage of the Jets’ 2-0 win over Weston last Tuesday.
The Jets have livestreamed pre-season games for a number of years but have been told by the governing body that the practice is not permitted under the A-League participation agreement.
“The livestream was great for us and great for Weston,” Jets chief executive Lawrie McKinna said. “It’s unfortunate, but we have been told we can’t livestream any more games. Hopefully that encourages more people to get to Magic Park.”
In a further disruption, the Jets have also abandoned the trial against Hamilton Olympic on Wednesday, August 2, due to the lighting at Darling Street Oval not meeting FFA match-sanction standards.
Jets coach Ernie Merrick is keen to play a match on that date and talks are being held with other clubs to find a suitable venue.
Meanwhile, defender Daniel Alessi faces an uncertain future at the Jets.
The 19-year-old, who returned from a knee reconstruction for the Youth team against Maitland last month, has a year remaining on his contract but has been given permission to talks to other clubs.
Alessi, who qualifies as an under-20 player, has Nigel Boogaard, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Lachlan Jackson and utility Ben Kantarovski ahead of him in the pecking order at the Jets.
