Euro 2020: Football fans angry over Canal+ signal cut
Sunday, July 04, 2021

Football fans who subscribe to Canal Plus in Rwanda were left disappointed when the French Pay TV experienced a technical problem that saw them miss the Euro 2020 game between England and Ukraine for about an hour on Saturday night.

England were already a goal ahead in Rome, Italy, thanks to Harry Kane’s early strike but a technical problem after just ten minutes made subscribers to miss the rest of the first half.

"I am subscriber of Canal Plus in Rwanda but can't view images now. This is what I am experiencing on all channels. Can you please explain to your customers what's really happening? We deserve better than this,” a ‘disappointed’ Tom Ndahiro posted on his Twitter account, showing a photo of a Canal Plus technical problem notification on his TV screen.

Canal Plus is among the official broadcasters of the Euro 2020 games which are at the  semi-final stage.

"First time I wish I had StarTimes. Thank you, Canal Plus Rwanda,” posted one Thabit, on Twitter.

It emerged that the problem was general for all subscribers in Rwanda and in other countries where Canal Plus operates, as communicated by the company’s management, a technical scenario that caused outrage among football fans after they missed England’s second and third goal as a result.

 "We apologize for the technical problem that we are experiencing. The problem is not only happening in Rwanda but a general issue, but responsible authorities are working on it to ensure that you can watch the images again. Our sincere apologies,” Canal Plus Rwanda’s management posted on its Twitter account.

 But the majority of the subscribers could only express their disappointment toward the company regardless of the technical problem.

"Being a general issue does not mean that you haven't disappointed us because we pay our money to be able to watch what we like and now look, I am so disappointed,” claimed Sixbert.

Some even suggested that Canal Plus gives an extra free month subscription to their clients.

"But pay the price of apology. Give us an extended one-month subscription as an equivalent to the apology,” one Damas Kabakambira reacted to Canal Plus' Twitter statement.