ECA ends CNE’s contract with beIN Sport

CAIRO – 12 July 2017: Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA) presided by Mona Garf terminated Cable Network Egypt's contract with the Qatari-owned Be-In sports, saying it is legally unsound since it has premised on anti-competitive practices, contravening article 20 of the Protection of Competition Act, as cited in a statement released by ECA on Wednesday.

ECA added on its statement that beIN Sport still insists on committing violations and reused to back down from its monopolistic policies, confirming that ECA decision is final and not subject to appeal.

Earlier in July, CNE announced in an official statement that they are reviewing their contracts with beIN Sport Qatari Network, which buys the copyrights of sports events.

CNE discussed the ways to end current contracts without renewing them for other periods with beIN Sport after exploitation and lack of competition showed by the Qatari group.

CNE insisted on putting the subscribers' rights in consideration in the upcoming procedures.

In January, The Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA) decided in to refer the CAF’s then-President Issa Hyatou to be brought before the General Prosecution, accusing him of infringing the Protection of Competition Act and misusing his position to conduct monopoly practices.

The Qatari-based French-owned Lagardère Sports Agency was granted exclusive rights to broadcast the main African football competitions for the region from 2017 through to 2028 in an agreement signed with the CAF on June 15, 2015, raising questions over the transparency of the bidding process.

The ECA commission found that the CAF committed violations of the regulations of fair competition and transparency between competitors instead of allowing them to win the broadcasting rights through a public auction.

The CAF had previously given the same rights to Lagardère Sports in 2009 until 2016, which means the agency has had sole broadcasting rights for 20 years.

Garf confirmed in press remarks that the ECA proceded with the legal action following a number of complaints delivered by the broadcasting company owners stating that the CAF refused their requests to do business.