- Qatar-based broadcaster has written to chairmen
- Cites pirate network causing ‘huge damage’ to revenues
Newcastle United’s proposed £300m takeover is at the heart of a geopolitical storm stemming from a long-running dispute between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with the Doha-based broadcaster beIN Sports demanding the Premier League consider blocking the deal.
Although sources close to the takeover maintain no red flags have been raised as the Premier League conducts its mandatory owners’ and directors’ test, Qatar’s beIN Sports is urging that Saudi Arabia should be accountable for a pirate network that illegally transmits English top-tier games. It has appealed not only to the league but to the respective chairmen of the top division’s clubs, highlighting what it says is a threat their intellectual property – and incomes.
Written by Louise Taylor
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/22/bein-sports-asks-premier-league-to-block-saudi-newcastle-deal-over-piracy under the title “BeIN Sports asks Premier League to block Saudi Newcastle deal over piracy”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
