YORK pub landlords who show live football at 3pm on Saturdays today told Premier League bosses: "We'll see you in court."

League chiefs claim screenings break blanket bans, breach copyright and hit ground attendances.

But city landlords reckon they are entitled to show the matches.

Several York pubs use special satellite equipment to beam images from Turkey, Spain and Scandinavia, where the FA has struck live TV deals. Some show more than one game at the same time between the 'closed period' of 2.45pm to 5.15pm. One landlord, who shows such games in three local pubs, said: "We're not doing anything illegal. It's just a case of the big boys clamping down."

Another publican, who also asked not to be named, said his pub was packed during a recent Leeds clash.

The League crackdown gathered pace after a Hertfordshire publican was first to be convicted of breach of copyright for showing such games. He was fined £500 with £720 costs.

However, York landlords say they refuse to let this case stop them. One said: "I've stumped up £800 in subscription fees and £1,400 on satellite gear. I'm still going to carry on. All I can say is that I'm picking games up from outer space. Let them take me to court."

Another said a Saturday afternoon in the pub was the only way some fans could afford to see teams - as adult tickets often start from £40.

However, Frank Cartin, president of York Licensed Victuallers' Association, warned: "I wouldn't tell any of my members to do this. If they get caught doing this, they are breaking the law."

The Snickleway Inn landlord said he feared a snowball effect, with some pubs hooking up to the scheme if they lose punters elsewhere.

Sandy Reid, landlady at the Dick Turpin pub, Woodthorpe, does not show 3pm Saturday games.

She said: "We'll wait and see what happens. But we have lost customers to other York pubs who show them."

Updated: 09:22 Saturday, November 08, 2003