Dame Caroline Dinenage says allowing women’s football to be screened at 3pm on Saturdays would encourage more interest in the game

Gosport’s MP has urged the government to allow women’s football to be shown on television live at 3pm.

Women’s football has to abide by the same laws as the men’s game, which cannot be screened live on Saturday afternoons, for fear of affecting attendances in stadiums.

But ending the 3pm blackout rule for women’s football would “inspire girls to get active”, says Caroline Dinenage, who as well as representing Gosport is the chairwoman of the culture, media and sports committee.

Dame Caroline accused the Government of adopting a “can’t be bothered” attitude to the issue, as she urged ministers to pursue a targeted exemption.

Megan Hornby fires in an effort for Pompey Women during a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in April | Jason Brown

placeholder image — Megan Hornby fires in an effort for Pompey Women during a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in April | Jason Brown

A recent report by her committee recommended the government intervenes in discussions between the Premier League, Women’s Professional Leagues Limited, English Football League and Football Association to secure a change in the broadcasting restrictions.

In its response to the Game On: community and school sport report, the Government said changes could risk widening the broadcast window to all football, due to “technical limitations”.

Dame Caroline, Conservative MP for Gosport, criticised this, asking ministers: “Where is the ambition to work proactively with Uefa and the FA?”

Former England midfielder Karen Carney’s review of domestic women’s football, published in 2023, recommended a dedicated broadcast slot.

The then-Conservative government said revoking Article 48 of the Uefa Statutes, which prevents football matches from being shown on UK television between 2.45pm and 5.15pm on Saturdays, for women’s football could be a “viable option”.

However, the Labour government said: “The government could choose to request that the FA disapply the statute in full, but all this would do is open that broadcast window to all football – including international football – which would simply further crowd the broadcast schedule without any benefit to the women’s game.”

Speaking during an estimates day debate on Tuesday, Dame Caroline told the Commons: “The committee recommended an intervention to explore whether the 3pm Saturday blackout could be adapted to support the women’s game.

“This would give a consistent time for showcasing the women’s game and would inspire girls to get active. The government’s response points to the technical complexities of the Uefa Article 48 and argues that any change would risk opening up the slot more widely, and thereby undermining its current purpose.

“It’s all too difficult, we just can’t be bothered – where is the ambition to work proactively with Uefa and the FA to pursue a targeted exemption for women’s football?

“Why, while the 3pm blackout continues, women’s football is shackled, and with it the opportunity for more women and girls to see themselves participating in sport?”

Sports minister Stephanie Peacock said she understood the argument, but added: “It is a technical response, but it is, of course, true. And Karen Carney’s review didn’t recommend it for those reasons.”