Alex Salmond says he will push for Scotland's international football matches to be aired free on television, after the UK Government announced a review of televised sporting events.

The First Minister welcomed the review of the list of sporting occasions which must be available to all on free television channels. Currently, 10 events, including the World Cup, the European Football Championships, the Olympic Games and the Scottish and English FA Cup finals, are protected for terrestrial television on the list, known as the Crown Jewels.

Other annual events such as the Wimbledon tennis finals, the Grand National and the Derby are also on the list. Nine events, including the Commonwealth Games and Six Nations Rugby, must also be available but not necessarily live.

UK Culture Secretary Andy Burnham said the list must be updated to reflect changing tastes.

In Scotland, there have been calls, backed by the First Minister, for World Cup qualifying matches to be on terrestrial television, while south of the border a similar movement has been growing for English test cricket matches.

Currently, Sky TV has the broadcasting rights for Scotland matches and any move to include the games on a free list would hit the SFA, as it would be unable to negotiate exclusive deals with paid-for broadcasters.

A spokesman for the First Minister said: "Football is Scotland's national sport and for those in society who cannot access satellite television and are unable to attend games, there is no way to watch the team they support so passionately. We welcome the review of listed sporting events."