But a small point, Murdoch and Sky have never had the rights to Match of the Day. The highlight rights have always sat with either BBC or ITV.

And, indeed, Sky channels are barred from showing any footage of Saturday afternoon games until after it has been shown on free-to-air television.

Sky is also barred from showing matches, specifically Saturday afternoon matches, when there are other football matches taking place in Britain. This is to promote the support of local clubs so Macclesfield fans don’t refuse to pitch at their ground because Man United are on the television.