Optus has snared exclusive Australian rights for the UEFA Champions League, despite the telco’s World Cup streaming failure, which culminated in SBS taking over.

Shocked soccer fans have expressed their dismay, with many questioning Optus’ ability to deliver a reliable service, given technical woes.

Optus has not disclosed the sum paid for broadcast rights, securing exclusive coverage of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup for the next three years.

Coverage will include every live Championship League match, starting with play-offs this month, to finals in 2019.

The telco has been severely criticised for poor World Cup coverage via its paid Optus Sports app, following ‘playback errors’, ‘black screen’ messages and streaming delays.

Public outcry forced Optus to pass coverage onto free-TV provider SBS, coupled with free access to its Sports app for a limited time.

UEFA will further expand Optus’ soccer portfolio, with the telco retaining exclusive local English Premier League rights until 2022.

#OptusSport secures @UEFA @ChampionsLeague, UEFA #SuperCup and UEFA @EuropaLeague rights for the next 3 years.

Details: https://t.co/iT1e5x9885 @Optus continues to provide @OptusSport to all Australians at no cost until August 31, 2018.#UCL #UEL #UEFA pic.twitter.com/Dx657nBWpa

— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) 3 August 2018