Pubs in Birmingham warned about showing FA Cup final without a licence

Pubs and bars in Birmingham have been warned by TV Licensing that they will face punishment if they screen this Saturday's FA Cup final between Arsenal and Aston Villa illegally.

Fans who failed to get tickets for the showdown at Wembley are likely to fill the local bars to watch the action, but the authorities have warned that they are clamping down on illegal streaming.

Venue owners could be fined up to £1,000 if they show the game without a licence.

"There are lots of people who won't have been able to get tickets for Wembley, so we know the pubs and clubs will be packed with fans who can't make it to the game," ITV News quotes Mark Whitehouse, TV Licensing spokesperson for the West Midlands, as saying.

"To be fair to the honest majority who pay for their licence, we do take action against those who watch or screen games illegally. We're always keen to make sure that businesses have all the information they need to stay on the right side of the law and avoid risking a fine."

The final will kick off at 5.30pm.