Press TV wins exclusive rights to broadcast English Premier League for 2013/14 season

Critics fear that Press TV will use its rights to the EPL to spread propaganda as part of the commentary

TEHRAN: Iran’s state-owned 24-hour news network Press TV has won exclusive rights to broadcast the English Premier League for the 2013/2014 season.

The deal, said to be worth in excess of $400 million, will see the broadcaster provide exclusive coverage across the Middle East until at least May 2013. Firebrand orator George Galloway is expected to present the show from Press TV’s studios Tehran, with Terry Venables and Peter Reid believed to be joining as pundits.

Political commentators have criticised the move, with many fearing the channel will use the opportunity to spread propaganda by the Iranian government to a new, expanded audience during the pre and post-match summaries and even within the commentary.

“Just imagine the Iranian version of John Motson describing a dazzling right-foot strike by Robin Van Persie into the top right hand corner before launching into a scathing attack on decadent Western imperialism,” said Winston Juggernaut of the Middle East Policy Institute Resort & Spa. “With this deal they’ll be reaching out to a potentially enormous mass of vulnerable and gullible viewers.”

Although Press TV hasn’t confirmed whether its anti-Israeli rhetoric will feature as part of its football scheduling next year, a source did confirm that commentators will been instructed to “totally miss out” Chelsea’s Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun from team line-ups.