DOHA • The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Wednesday it was taking legal action in Saudi Arabia against television channel beoutQ for illegally broadcasting its Asian Cup, the region's biggest football tournament.
The channel has been accused by football's governing body Fifa, tennis governing bodies and other sports bodies of illegally airing content, whose exclusive TV rights in the Middle East belong to Qatar-based broadcaster beIN.
BeoutQ emerged in 2017 after Saudi Arabia and its allies launched a diplomatic and trade boycott of Qatar and accused the tiny Gulf state of supporting terrorism, which Doha denies.
BeoutQ is widely available in Saudi Arabia. But Riyadh says it is not based there and that the authorities are committed to fighting piracy, including announcing the confiscation of 12,000 pirating devices last June.
It is unclear who owns or operates the channel.
In a statement, the AFC said the Asian Cup, which kicked off in Abu Dhabi last week, had been appearing illegally on beoutQ.
"The AFC has already instructed counsel to take legal action in Saudi Arabia and is working alongside other sports rights owners that have also been affected to protect its interest," the statement said.
The Saudi government media office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the AFC action.
Qatar-based beIN Sports holds exclusive TV rights to a wide range of events for the Middle East including football's World Cup, the English Premier League, and AFC matches.
Last month, the World Trade Organisation said it would investigate Qatari allegations of intellectual property breaches by Saudi Arabia, including the piracy of beIN content, despite Riyadh's objections on national security grounds.
Fifa said last July it would pursue legal action against beoutQ after the illegal broadcast of last year's World Cup, but details of the case have not yet been made public.
Saudi Arabia said at the time that the football governing body's decision would supplement its "relentless efforts" to combat beoutQ's activities.
REUTERS
Apr 06, 2019 · Teenage sensation Moise Kean scored the winner to put Juventus one step away from an eighth consecutive Serie A title on Saturday as a 2-1 comeback win over AC Milan pushed the champions 21 points
Kean winner puts Juventus on brink of Serie A title
BERLIN: Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich beat Werder Bremen 3-2 with two goals from Robert Lewandowski on Wednesday to advance to the German Cup final for the second straight year and keep the
Bayern reach German Cup final to keep double in sight | The
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu was naturally disappointed that his side missed out on a winning a fifth Asian Cup title on Friday but believes the improvement of the squad augurs well for the future.
Football: Japan coach disappointed but pleased with progress
SINGAPORE - New Football Association of Singapore (FAS) technical director Joseph Palatsides hopes to rouse local football from its slumber. "I see Singapore football as a sleeping giant," said
Football: New FAS technical director Joseph Palatsides aims
She explains the two types of workplace respect, how to communicate them, and what happens when you don't foster both. Or is this a place right now where people feel if they share their best
The 4 Kinds of Professional Respect: Which Ones Have to Be
Japan cashed in on a defensive mix-up and a controversial penalty as they stunned favourites Iran 3-0 in the Asian Cup semi-finals to move one win away from their fifth title on Monday. Yuya Osako put Japan 1-0 up after half-time when the Iranian defence fatally stopped to remonstrate with the
'Emotional breakdown' as Japan stun imploding Iran at Asian
Should You Play Hard to Get? Given these results, it appears that some of the behaviors and tactics associated with playing hard to get succeed in making someone more desirable as a date or
How to Play Hard to Get and Why It Works | Psychologia
Saturday's lunchtime London derby from Tottenham Hotspur will be screened live in the UK by Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main event, and by the league's broadcast partners across the world, with kick-off at 12.30pm.
Goals - The Learning code in London, Derby, Nottingham
Yorke, 47, said: "This game was so big for the club. The constant talk was that we hadn't won it since 1968, this was our chance. "Before we went out, the gaffer told us to go out and make
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer explains why Paul Pogba is his champion
Football: Lukaku double inspires Man United to 3-1 win at Palace LONDON (REUTERS) - Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku rediscovered his finishing touch in fine fashion, scoring a superb goal in each half to help them to a 3-1 Premier League win at Crystal Palace on Wednesday (Feb 27).
Lukaku double inspires Man United to 3-1 win at Palace
We were treated to yet another excellent weekend of Premier League football as the big games just keep coming. There was everything to play for at the bottom and in the battle for the top four, while the Premier League title race continues to be one of the most enthralling battles between two sides of the very highest caliber.
Five things from the Premier League this weekend - Daily Nation
After Burnley's Ashley Westwood squandered an early chance, Aubameyang pounced after 14 minutes to give Arsenal the lead, guiding the ball into the bottom corner of Joe Hart's net with the outside
Aubameyang brace gives Arsenal win over Burnley - The Nation
June 10, 2019 Tony highlights: A historic win and a strong night for women. NEW YORK (AP) — When effervescent actress Ali Stroker came onstage to accept her historic trophy as the first actor in
Tigers riding high, Football News & Top Stories - The Straits
0 comments:
Post a Comment