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Monday, 11 June 2018

Is the ECA trying to force FIFA to broadcast the World Cup without charge in Egypt?

You may get to watch the World Cup without charge thanks to the ECA: The Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA) has ordered FIFA to grant the National Media Authority the right to broadcast 22 of the World Cup’s 64 matches on Egypt’s satellite channels, an ECA statement reads. FIFA had awarded Qatar’s beIN Sports the exclusive rights to air games in the region, but the ECA says that the tender process was neither fair nor transparent. According to the ECA, Egypt’s Competition Protection Act grants it the authority to compel FIFA to comply with its demands since FIFA’s agreement with beIN violates articles of the Competition Protection Act on fair practices.

FIFA has yet to respond to the ECA’s complaint letter. The National Media Authority had been in talks with FIFA for the rights to broadcast the Egyptian team’s matches for a nominal fee, but FIFA reportedly did failed to respond, prompting the authority to file a complaint with the ECA, Al Masry Al Youm reports.

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