DOHA (Qatar): Qatar’s beIN Sports channel pulled its Serie A coverage from the air over a dispute with the league, broadcaster confirmed on Monday.
This sudden decision left the Serie A fans around the world in surprise as the league returned from the coronavirus shutdown.
“For legal reasons, beIN has had to take the unfortunate decision to not broadcast Serie A matches. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes, but hope you continue to enjoy the other premium sports content on our channels,” beIN tweeted on Monday.
Subscribers who tuned in to watch Saturday’s comeback match between Torino and Parma were greeted with blue screens and that continued for Sunday’s more high-profile matches featuring Atalanta and Inter Milan.
“No Serie A matches are being broadcast on BeIN Sports’ entire global network,” a spokesperson told AFP.
“It would not be appropriate to comment further, other than to say our legal and public position has been consistent and well-documented for three years.”
beIN did not specify whether league leaders Juventus’ clash with Bologna would be broadcast later on Monday.
The comments refer to a long-standing dispute with Saudi Arabia, which it claims is behind a pirate system, named BeoutQ, that shows its images via satellite.
BeIN Sports president Yousef Al Obaidly has criticised both Serie A and the Spanish football authorities for their relationships with Saudi Arabia despite the allegedly state-sponsored pirating of one of its key international broadcasters.
The channel holds the rights to Serie A until 2021 in 35 areas including France, Turkey, 24 Middle East and North African countries, Indonesia and the Philippines, and claims to generate over half of the league’s international revenues.
