First Minister Alex Salmond tonight demanded action from broadcasters and Westminster to ensure Scotland's World Cup football qualifiers are shown on terrestrial TV.
It was "extraordinary and frankly unacceptable" that the games to be screened on terrestrial TV in Scotland would be England's home matches, said the First Minister.
"Let me simply say that when it comes to getting the national team back onto the screens of all our citizens - it can be done and it must be done," Mr Salmond said.
He did not specify what action he had in mind but aides said the comments were aimed at broadcasters and the Westminster Government.
"At UK level some national sporting events like Wimbledon and the Grand National are protected," said an aide.
"If the Scottish Government had legislative competence over broadcasting, we would be able to protect Scotland's qualifying games and allow millions of Scots football fans to watch the game."
Mr Salmond's call came when he delivered the Campbell Swinton memorial lecture to the Royal Television Society in Glasgow.
In a a little over six months, Scotland will begin their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign and after the country's "impressive" performance in the European qualifiers, millions would want to cheer on the national team, said the First Minister.
"However, even in Scotland, the only games shown on terrestrial television will be England's home matches," Mr Salmond continued.
"It is an extraordinary, and frankly unacceptable position.
"And it reveals a carelessness in the attitudes of some broadcasters to their wider responsibilities."
The "hundreds of thousands" who would be unable to see their national team compete in their national sport included elderly people unable to go to the games or get satellite TV, and youngsters "desperate to be inspired" by a new generation of sporting heroes.
"We aren't talking about just a game of football," said the First Minister.
"Rather, we are talking about maintaining a cohesive society able, collectively, to celebrate its national identity."
He continued: "The imperative for action is obvious.
"Sporting success can be one catalyst for a united, confident, ambitious nation.
"Let me simply say tonight that when it comes to getting the national team back onto the screens of all our citizens - it can be done, and it must be done."
"Let me simply say that when it comes to getting the national team back onto the screens of all our citizens - it can be done and it must be done," Mr Salmond said.
He did not specify what action he had in mind but aides said the comments were aimed at broadcasters and the Westminster Government.
"At UK level some national sporting events like Wimbledon and the Grand National are protected," said an aide.
"If the Scottish Government had legislative competence over broadcasting, we would be able to protect Scotland's qualifying games and allow millions of Scots football fans to watch the game."
Mr Salmond's call came when he delivered the Campbell Swinton memorial lecture to the Royal Television Society in Glasgow.
In a a little over six months, Scotland will begin their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign and after the country's "impressive" performance in the European qualifiers, millions would want to cheer on the national team, said the First Minister.
"However, even in Scotland, the only games shown on terrestrial television will be England's home matches," Mr Salmond continued.
"It is an extraordinary, and frankly unacceptable position.
"And it reveals a carelessness in the attitudes of some broadcasters to their wider responsibilities."
The "hundreds of thousands" who would be unable to see their national team compete in their national sport included elderly people unable to go to the games or get satellite TV, and youngsters "desperate to be inspired" by a new generation of sporting heroes.
"We aren't talking about just a game of football," said the First Minister.
"Rather, we are talking about maintaining a cohesive society able, collectively, to celebrate its national identity."
He continued: "The imperative for action is obvious.
"Sporting success can be one catalyst for a united, confident, ambitious nation.
"Let me simply say tonight that when it comes to getting the national team back onto the screens of all our citizens - it can be done, and it must be done."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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