Egypt seems to have decided to broadcast 22 World Cup 2018 games, including those of the national team, on Egyptian television, even without a proper rights contract.
The Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA) issued a addressing FIFA, stating that the football association made an infringement of the Egyptian right to broadcast 22 games of the upcoming World Cup in Russia on its terrestrial channels.
However, Qatar broadcaster Bein Sport owns the exclusive broadcast rights to the World Cup in the area. Because of a boycot by a number of Arab states, Bein Sports is officially not available anymore in Egypt.
In a statement, the ECA said “The ECA has ordered interim measures against FIFA based on prima facie finding of infringements to articles 7 and 8 of the Egyptian competition law as it was revealed that those infringements would cause serious and irreparable damage to the freedom of competition and consumers, insofar they will prevent consumers from receiving the right to watch the 2018 World Cup Russia under competitive and fair conditions.
“The FIFA must make available immediately to the Egyptian National Media Authority the rights to live broadcast through terrestrial channels 22 selected matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.”
So far, the FIFA has not responded. The statement confirmed that it its national media is entitled to broadcast of 22 games, including the Egyptian team’s, making clear that Egypt plans to broadcast the games – even without an official broadcast rights deal.
Hussein Zein, the head of Egypt’s National Media Authority, addressed FIFA on June 6 on the rights to broadcast World Cup games, including the Egyptian team’s matches for a fixed amount and that FIFA would reply within two days.
He added that there was no response from FIFA yet on the request, so he was addressed by the consumer protection body who explained the matter to him and a decision was made during its session held on June 10 and that in accordance with international laws and customs, that the Egyptian television has the legal basis that gives them the rights to broadcast World Cup matches.
