beIN Sports has been hit with a $22 million fine after Egypt’s competition authority ruled the network had been engaged in anti-competitive practices.
The Qatari company won the rights to the main African football competitions across the region from 2017 to 2028 – an agreement that had already brought up questions surrounding the transparency of the bidding process.
But rather than transmit the coverage on Egypt’s Nilesat satellite, viewers were required to point their dishes at Qatar’s Suhail Sat satellite.
Earlier this month, the Competition Protection and Prevention of Monopolistic Practices board ruled that beIN had breached Egypt’s competition protection law, damaging both Nilesat and giving the consumers unjustified expenses.
beIN had not given any reason for the move, beIN to challenge Egyptian sports ruling
The Swiss authorities have also opened an investigation into the rights deal secured for the football World Cup through to 2030.