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Saudi plans new Arab channel to end Qatar monopoly

RIYADH, June 14, 2017

Saudi Arabia is planning to establish a “a big Arab alliance” to put an end to the monopoly of Qatari-based BeIN sports, one of the arms of Al Jazeera news channel, said a report.

The kingdom will question the monopoly over the whole Arab region by the Qatari-based banned BeIN sport, reported the Gulf News, citing a Saudi lawyer.

Among the rights that BeIN bought were for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup matches, the Cup of Nations in Europe, the Asian Cup, Africa Cup of Nations, the Champions League, the AFC Champions League, CAF Champions League tournaments.

Currently, it is in the Fifa’s court to decide on the broadcasting rights and Saudi Arabia is leaving no stone unturned to prove that Qatar can’t hold a monopoly over the entire region’s sports broadcast rights, stated the report, citing Saudi Advocate Dr Majid Garoub.

Talking to Gulf News, Dr Garoub, who has worked with the Legal Committee of the International Football Federation for several years, said: "Due to the political situation in the region Saudi Arabia will have to negotiate with Fifa on the rights issues. We will be submitting a report on the developments and Fifa will have to look into it."

The statement by Garbou, who is currently counsellor to the President of the International Law Association, came a day after press reports said “decision-makers in several Arab countries” are planning to establish a rival channel to end the Qatari channel's monopoly over the region.

The region is home to over 200 million viewers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE and other Arab countries.




Tags: Saudi Arabia | Qatar | Sports | monopoly | Arab channel |

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