Premier League clubs will be required to allow TV cameras into dressing rooms as part of a new broadcasting initiative, but they can decline if they are losing the match, according to the league's new handbook.
The access is one of three enhanced features available to broadcasters Sky Sports and TNT Sports under a new domestic television deal. Clubs must provide at least one of the options twice per season, but may refuse dressing-room access if they are behind at the time it was due, and must then accommodate another request later in the campaign.
Other enhancements include half-time player or manager interviews and in-match interviews with managers or substituted players. Broadcasters must request access at least five days before the match, with clubs responding 72 hours before kick-off. The handbook states content must be "positive and non-controversial".
Dressing-room access can occur between warm-up and the first bell, before players leave the dressing room, at half-time, or after the match once all players have returned. Clubs have final say on audio recording. Half-time interviews are limited to three questions, and in-match interviews to two.
TNT Sports trialled dressing-room access with Brentford last season. Sky will broadcast a record 215 top-flight games this season, starting with Liverpool vs Bournemouth on 15 August.
