Saudi Arabia bans Qatari broadcaster in latest Newcastle takeover twist
As Newcastle fans await any news of the Saudi-led takeover deal, the Saudi Arabian government has announced it has permanently barred Qatari broadcaster beIN Sports from operating inside the country.
beIN Sports is the official partner of the Premier League in the Middle East. The decision makes it impossible for Saudi football fans to legally watch top-tier English football.
The Premier League has spent 16 weeks considering the £300m takeover deal. Critics of the buyout have raised allegations of TV piracy in Saudi Arabia.
In a statement Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Competition (GAC) charged beIN Sports with “monopolistic practices”, an allegation the broadcaster denies.
Last month, Angus MacNeil MP, chair of the International Trade Select Committee, wrote to the government about concerns surrounding the broadcaster beoutQ, which is accused of illegally showing Premier League matches in Saudi Arabia.
The intervention followed a ruling by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which found that Saudi Arabia had violated international piracy laws in relations to beoutQ.
The Saudi government has always maintained it has nothing to do with alleged piracy.
On Tyneside, Newcastle manager Steve Bruce told the Tuesday press conference that “clarity” on the takeover would allow his side to prepare for next season.