beIN Sport claims the decision of the Saudi Arabian competition authority to remove it from the country’s TV screens is “manifestly politically motivated”.
Earlier this week the General Authority for Competition said it was fining the broadcaster SR10 million. It claimed the broadcaster’s bundling of the 2016 European Championships breached local competition laws.
“beIN is being attacked by the Saudi authorities for doing exactly what sports and entertainment broadcasters around the world do, and indeed what other broadcasters active in the Saudi market also do. The decision would require beIN to meet conditions that no broadcaster anywhere in the world is required to meet.
“This is simply another illegitimate attempt by Saudi Arabia to drive beIN’s highly successful business from the country, putting politics ahead of the interests of Saudi consumers. It also sends a deeply troubling message to the international business community about the arbitrary conditions of commerce and lack of the rule of law in Saudi Arabia. We are considering all legal options.”
Qatar-based beIN has faced a series of regulatory interventions in the region while its channels are amongst those being pirated by the Saudi-based beoutQ.
