Angry statement … Doha reveals "collusion" between Saudi Arabia and Qatar

The Qatari news channel BEIN issued an official statement that the FTA had unilaterally violated the costly convention that governed regional rights.

The BEIN Group, in response to the biased decision taken by the AFC this morning, has set a dangerous precedent in the protection of global television rights, namely the announcement by the AFC of its broadcast live via its digital platforms in Saudi Arabia only for Saudi club matches. In the AFC Champions League, BEIN Media Group will sue the FTA on a large scale internationally for apparent and serious violation of its multi-million dollar television rights contract.

"Instead of taking into account Saudi illegal measures against its official and legitimate carrier, the AFC unilaterally decided and in collusion with the Saudi Football Federation to broadcast live matches of its club online," said the BEIN media group in a statement. Saudi Arabia will participate on AFC platforms on Facebook and YouTube in a limited transfer to Saudi Arabia. "

"The situation seems clearly linked to the political contexts, which were clearly and publicly coordinated with the Saudi Football Federation, which announced the AFC's plans before the official announcement in 24 hours."

"The AFC decision is a flagrant violation of the most important terms of its contract with the BEIN Media Group, which is an exclusive guarantee of rights, and BEIN Media Group will therefore take legal action and prosecute international level against the AFC in order to claim compensation for all material damage.And the moral impact on the group. "

BEIN Media Group has confirmed to be the exclusive owner of the television rights for all AFC Championships and continue to offer all games exclusively on the BEIN SPORTS channel throughout its geographical area, the Middle East and Africa. North.

"The Asian Football Confederation, obeying Saudi pressure and ignoring Qutu broadcast from within Saudi Arabia, is committing a serious violation of the million dollar contract signed with the BEIN Group. renewing the television and commercial rights agreements Legally enforceable by one party and illegally. "

"BEIN Media has been AFC's exclusive media partner in the Middle East and North Africa for 10 years and is one of the most important sources of revenue for the federation and an important supporter of rapid development. Asian football during this period. "

"All of the Asian Cup games – the most important AFC championships with 24 teams in January – were broadcast illegally by beoutQ, which made Saudi Arabia the illegal carrier on most dangerous of history by displaying his logo, selling his subscriptions and broadcasting ads.At the same time, and even add a comment of his own ".

"AFC's decision to broadcast the participating Saudi clubs online via its digital platforms over the Internet is a flagrant violation of our broadcast deal for millions of dollars." We will immediately initiate a large-scale international trial. against the AFC, "said Youssef Al-Obaidli, CEO of BEIN Media Group. The AFC decision, which was made by political consensus with Saudi Arabia, is not only the most detrimental to commercial interests, but will also affect the protection of intellectual property rights in the Middle East and in the Middle East. North Africa, thanks to the support of ACE. Yue's football on Saudi flight into the sports world, his flagrant disregard for the rule of law at the international level. "