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AFP
Doha
FIFA on Wednesday said it is preparing to take legal action in Saudi Arabia against pirate broadcasters illegally showing World Cup matches in the kingdom.
In a statement issued only four days before the end of the tournament, football's governing body also called on Saudi Arabia and other countries to crack down on illegal broadcasts.
FIFA's decision comes after it was urged by Qatar's beIN Sports to take action after the broadcaster said its exclusive rights to show matches in the Middle East had been compromised by a pirate channel in Saudi Arabia, known as BeoutQ.
"FIFA has observed that the pirate entity named 'BeoutQ' continues to use illegally the 2018 FIFA World Cup broadcast signal," read the statement.
"Accordingly, FIFA has engaged counsel to take legal action in Saudi Arabia and is working alongside other sports rights owners that have also been affected to protect its interest."
The statement added:"FIFA urges the authorities of Saudi Arabia and of the different countries where these illegal activities have been observed to support us in the fight against piracy."
Last month, Saudi Arabia said it has confiscated more than 12,000 pirating devices in the country.
Doha-based beIN secured rights to broadcast all 64 World Cup matches from Russia across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to 24 countries.
beIN said since last October"BeoutQ" ” using a signal from Riyadh-based satellite provider Arabsat ” has been illegally transmitting its broadcasts.
