Linfield Football Club has noted the statements issued by various supporters clubs calling for a boycott of our forthcoming Irish Cup tie against Limavady United due to concerns about the regular rescheduling of our games to facilitate television coverage.

Whilst this club has never endorsed the boycotting of games, we recognise the genuine concerns raised by our supporters clubs and can fully understand the stance they are taking in this instance.

Club officials have met with both NIFL and the BBC this season to express our serious concerns about the lack of balance in the selection of games for screening and to highlight the disruption this causes to our supporters and, in particular, to our supporters clubs. We have also raised concerns about the distribution of income from the BBC television deal and the fact that this is not targeted specifically at the clubs who are featured.

Over the coming weeks we intend to discuss our concerns with the other Premiership clubs and with NIFL to seek changes to the broadcasting contract for next season and to ensure a fairer balance in the selection of games across all Premiership clubs.

Supporters are the lifeblood of the local game and they should not be taken for granted in this drive to broaden coverage of the local game.