Oman bans pirate beIN decoders ahead of FIFA World Cup

Oman has banned the import of beoutQ decoders that would allow viewers to watch pirated versions of World Cup matches, report local media.

The move comes amid an increasing war of words over broadcast piracy in the region, ahead of the World Cup which begins on June 14, and against a backdrop of a Gulf diplomatic crisis.

Earlier this week, BeIN has called on football’s governing body, FIFA, to take legal actionagainst the pirate broadcasters in Saudi Arabia ahead of next month’s tournament.

Since October 2017, the beoutQ pirates have been selling subscriptions to ten satellite channels carrying premium live sports content stolen from beIN and other broadcasters, according to BeIn Media Group. The beoutQ set-top boxes are being openly sold in retail outlets across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other countries, but now Oman has decided to put a stop to the import of these STBs.