TV deal bars pubs from key coverage

Nine out of 10 pubs will be unable to show the full drama of this week's deciding World Cup group matches because of the way BBC and ITV have carved up coverage, it has emerged.

From today the final games in each group are kicking off simultaneously and the BBC and ITV have agreed to screen some matches on their extra digital channels.

Ireland v Saudi Arabia in Group E is live on ITV today but the simultaneous Germany v Cameroon game is only on ITV2.

Tomorrow, when England play Nigeria live on BBC, the Argentina v Sweden game will only be available live on BBC interactive, not available to most pubs.

The BBC blamed Fifa for the scheduling clash. A spokeswoman said: "We believe that the vast majority of the British public would prefer to watch the England v Nigeria game."