Prime Minister Keir Starmer's desperate plea in Arsenal Champions League final statement

Arsenal's Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain will not be free-to-air with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer issuing a message to TNT Sports

Sir Keir Starmer has sent a letter to TNT Sports urging the Champions League broadcaster to make the final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain free-to-air.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that a paid subscription would be required to watch the final for the first time in 34 years. The UK Prime Minister, who is also an Arsenal fan, has now issued an open letter to TNT Sports asking for them to allow fans to watch for free.

He wrote in an open letter: "The Champions League is the biggest club football competition in the world and rightly means a lot to fans in this country - the home of football.

"I am a firm believer that the final of this competition should remain free to watch, whether Arsenal have made it or not.

"Obviously, I want as many fellow fans as possible to be able to watch our team in this historic final for the first time in 20 years. However, this is bigger than that.

"This is about supporters of all teams coming together in living rooms and pubs in every corner of the country to watch the most elite players in Europe battle it out.

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"Hard-working people should not have to worry about forking out for a subscription to watch a game of this magnitude.

"We should be putting supporters first. That is why I have already encouraged Fifa to do more to make tickets more affordable at this summer's World Cup.

"That is also why I want to strongly urge you to reconsider and make the final next Saturday free to watch for the millions of passionate football fans in this country."

It is not just Arsenal fans that will have to pay at least £4.99 to watch with Aston Villa and Crystal Palace in the two other European finals.

The former have already won the Europa League by beating Freiburg while Palace take on Rayo Vallecano next week in the Conference League final.

TNT Sports faced considerable backlash for their decision but their defence for the change stems from how the Warner Bros. Discovery business has to run as 4,000 staff are employed in the UK.

From 2027, they will also lose rights to all three UEFA club competitions with Paramount and Sky taking over.

A TNT Sports spokesperson said: “It has been a privilege to bring UEFA club competitions to sports fans across the UK throughout the season. Having three Premier League clubs reach the finals shows the strength of English Football and something that we are proud to continue to support.

“We have made all three UEFA finals this year available from just £4.99, the price for a month-long subscription to HBO Max that also includes the great entertainment on the service. This represents exceptional value for fans to watch the conclusion of the competitions."