Sky Sports and BT Sport football could be free to Brighton fans as part of government plan

It is believed the move could help stop the public visiting friends or family because they may have a subscription package.

The Premier League has been suspended since March 13 and Brighton have not played since their 0-0 draw at Wolves on March 7.

Albion, along with many other Premier League clubs, are keen to concluded the season if and when it is safe to do so. The most likely scenario will be playing behind closed doors.

Broadcasters plan to screen every match live once the campaign returns.

Dowden believes the Premier League and the broadcasters can find a solution.

“I’ve raised this challenge to the Premier League in the conversations I have had with them,” he said.

"I have said to the Premier League, in particular, I think it wouldn’t send the best signal if they were the first or one of the first major sports to resume behind closed doors and the public at large couldn't have access to it.

“The sports themselves are reliant on the revenue, so I don’t want to be in the position of issuing some blanket mandate or trying to change things round.

“But I do think they need to be mindful of that, and in fairness they are mindful of it.

“There are different ways you can both have elements of protecting revenue from broadcasts but also whether there are ways at increasing access.

“I have urged them to do that, and that is what they are considering as they go through the ideas of how it might work if they resume behind closed doors.”

Brighton have nine matches of the campaign remaining and Graham Potter's men are currently two points above the relegation zone.

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