Asian Cup organizers condemn Saudi piracy of TV broadcasts

By: The Associated Press Posted: 2:34 AM CST Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019 Last Modified: 4:35 AM CST Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019

Advertise with us

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Organizers of soccer's Asian Cup say they condemn Saudi-backed pirate broadcasts of games stolen from Qatari rights holder BeIN Sports.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Organizers of soccer's Asian Cup say they condemn Saudi-backed pirate broadcasts of games stolen from Qatari rights holder BeIN Sports.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/01/2019 (2825 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Organizers of soccer’s Asian Cup say they condemn Saudi-backed pirate broadcasts of games stolen from Qatari rights holder BeIN Sports.

The Asian Football Confederation says it “already instructed counsel to take legal action in Saudi Arabia” and is working with other sports bodies affected.

World soccer body FIFA and Europe’s UEFA are also weighing action after persistent piracy of BeIN’s rights to broadcast World Cup and Champions League games across the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia's midfielder Salem al Dawsari celebrates his goal during the AFC Asian Cup group E soccer match between Saudi Arabia and North Korea at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty)

The broadcast conflict is a proxy fight in the 19-month political and logistical boycott of Qatar by regional rivals including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

At the Asian Cup next week, Saudi Arabia plays Qatar in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi.

Unlike a previous AFC comment Saturday about a “cease and desist” notice, the statement Wednesday specifically named Saudi Arabia and “the pirate entity named ‘beoutQ’.”