Saudi Arabia refutes World Cup broadcast piracy claims

CAIRO - 23 June 2018: Saudi Arabia has denied claims that it was pirating the broadcast of World Cup games for which Qatar-based beIN Sports network purchased the regional rights.

Saud al-Qahtani, a senior adviser to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, called the piracy charges "baseless" and "unfounded".

Last week, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) accused television channel BeoutQ, whose pirating devices are widely available for purchase in Saudi Arabia, of illegally broadcasting the opening games of the World Cup.

FIFA said it was “exploring all options to stop the infringement of its rights, including in relation to action against legitimate organizations that are seen to support such illegal activities”.

Global sports network beIN Sports is blocked in Saudi Arabia under a boycott the kingdom imposed on Qatar a year ago.

In March, the Cairo Economic Court upheld a first-degree verdict to fine Qatari-owned channel beIN Sports and its chairperson, Nasser al-Khalaifi, LE 400 million ($22.7 million) over anti-competitive practices.

The Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA), led by Mona el-Garf, proved on January 3, 2017 that beIN Sports violated Article 8 (Paragraph G) of the Egyptian Competition Law (ECL), as it obliged subscribers to turn to Qatari satellite Sohail to watch the channel during the last African Cup in Gabon instead of using Egyptian satellite Nilesat, causing Nilesat direct economic loses and harming competition in the market.

According to the ECA, beIN Sports also violated Article 8 (Paragraph D) of the ECL when its subscription system was exploitative to the extent that it forced its customers to subscribe to all sports bundles if they want to watch any sports tournament.

Qatari ties with several Arab states has been strained since May 24, 2017 over a leaked statement attributed to Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad criticizing Gulf foreign policy with Iran, describing it as “unwise.”

In June 2017, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain cut diplomatic ties with Qatar and imposed economic sanctions, accusing it of funding terrorism, a claim Qatar denies. They also closed their airspace and seaports for Qatari transportation.

The Arab quartet issued 13 demands to Doha in June, which were shortened to six principles a month later, including closing Al-Jazeera television, curbing relations with Iran and shutting a Turkish military base.