"THIRTY SIX quid to watch Rovers? Last season I only paid £32 to watch them against Arsenal in London."

The price of a ticket persuaded Matt Briscoe, 25, of Ewood, to enjoy a pint and watch the 1-1 draw with Everton in the Ewood Arms, Bolton Road, about 300 yards from Ewood Park.

Harry Shorrock, 37, of Albion Street, agreed: "Rovers is definitely too expensive. If they cut prices a lot more people would go."

Ewood Arms landlord Tony Walker, said he was doing nothing wrong screening the match, broadcast by an Arab television station.

On Saturdays, Sky TV and the Premier League try to enforce a ban on foreign channels showing live matches in this country but some landlords have successfully fought the ban in court on a technicality.

Mr Walker said: "The general consensus is fans would rather have a couple of pints than pay extortionate prices on Ewood Park."

The cheapest available ticket yesterday was £27.

He said the pub paid for commercial Sky to show matches that were screened by the British broadcaster. But he said rules regarding the screening of matches were a grey area and that clarification was needed.

Rovers chairman John Williams has contacted the town's MP Jack Straw to express concern that the practice may be affecting attendances at Ewood Park, which have fallen by an average of almost 5,000 over the past four seasons. And Mr Straw has written to Alastair Darling, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, calling for action.

John Derby, 42, travelled from Bury to take sons Adam, 10, and Nathaniel, 12, who plays for Rovers Academy, to the game. "I can understand it to a certain extent, but they should come down and support the team."

He said the lack of fans was sometimes noticeable in the atmosphere at the ground, where last night's game attracted only 22,015 fans.

Sgt Rachel Baines said: "We are aware that certain licensed premises within the Blackburn are in breach of this legislation and will be working with Trading Standards and Media Protection Services to help eliminate this problem."