Saudi Arabia fines beIN Sports SAR 10 mln, terminates license

20/08/2018 Argaam

 

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Competition will impose a SAR 10 million fine on Qatar-based beIN Sports and terminate its license in Saudi Arabia for violating antitrust rules in the Kingdom.

 

The TV channel will also be ordered to refund all profits made through violations.

The verdict was issued on Monday, Aug. 13, and became effective immediately.

 

In July, the authority’s board of directors filed a suit against the beIN Group for alleged violations of the competition law.

 

The previous month, the Kingdom’s General Sports Authority (GSA) held direct negotiations with FIFA earlier this year for the viewing and broadcasting rights of the 2018 Football World Cup, Al Arabiya reported.

 

Saudi Arabia in June last year banned the import of beIN Sports receivers, as well as the sale and renewal of subscriptions for the sports channels.

 

The decision came after a Saudi-led alliance severed trade and diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing the latter of supporting terrorism.

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