Qatar sports media group beiN has called on world football governing body FIFA to take actions against Saudi satellite operator Arabsat for allegedly allowing hacking of its premium sports content ahead of the world cup.
Doha-based sports broadcaster complained to FIFA and urged the football governing body to rein the regional satellite operator. According to beiN, Arabsat is allowing an alleged Saudi Arabian piracy network and its “beoutQ” channels.
Saudi police raided hotels and restaurants to seize beiN set-top boxes ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Russia. Furthermore Arabsat’s “beoutQ” channels have sold subscriptions to 10 satellite channels carrying premium live sports content stolen from beIN and other broadcasters The illegal sale has allegedly been ongoing since October 2017, beIn said.
beoutQ set-top boxes have been on sale in the kingdom and other regional countries, the sports broadcaster noted, arguing that Arabsat’s actions harm its profits.
Qatar and its regional neighbors namely Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain plus Egypt have fallen apart. The four have cut off ties with Doha over its alleged support for terrorism.
FIFA, in a statement reported by AFP, noted that it is taking seriously violation of its intellectual property and is at war with illegal streaming and unauthorized broadcasts.
