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WC2018: Qatar’s beIN urges FIFA action on Saudi ‘piracy’
DOHA, May 28, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Qatar’s beIN Media Group on Monday called
on football’s governing body FIFA to take legal action against what it claims
are pirate broadcasters in Saudi Arabia ahead of the World Cup.
“We have requested FIFA to take direct legal action against Arabsat and the
indications we have show that they are behind that,” general counsel of beIN
Sophie Jordan told AFP on Monday.
“We have asked FIFA to put direct pressure on the pirates,” she added.
BeIN claims the expensively bought broadcast rights it has secured for
major sporting events in the region, including football’s biggest tournament
which starts on June 14, are being undermined by pirate broadcasters
operating out of its much larger neighbour.
The Doha-based company says that since last October, a vast and
sophisticated Saudi bootlegging network known as beoutQ, using a signal from
satellite provider Arabsat, has been illegally transmitting its broadcasts.
The claim comes at a politically sensitive time in the Gulf, with Qatar
boycotted by its neighbours, including Saudi Arabia, in a highly fractious
year-long diplomatic and economic dispute.
Qatar has been isolated since June 5, accused by Saudi Arabia and its
allies of supporting terrorism and Riyadh’s great regional rival, Iran.
BeIN cannot take legal action itself in Saudi Arabia as it says it cannot
get any lawyer representation there since the start of the boycott.
It has also called on UEFA to go to the courts as beIN said last weekend’s
Champions League final was broadcast illegally by beoutQ.
The Qatari broadcaster also alleges that authorities in Saudi have been
removing any beIN boxes from restaurants and hotels.
Saudi Arabia is the largest shareholder of Riyadh-based Arabsat.
BSS/AFP/MRI/1748 hrs