Al-Hawiah fined for World Cup piracy
November 28, 2022
By Chris Forrester
Yemeni broadcaster Al-Hawiah has been fined $20,000 for illegally broadcasting the opening games of the FIFA World Cup without permission.
The fine was applied by Nilesat, which the broadcaster uses to beam its channels over the complete Middle East.
According to local reports, Cairo-based Nilesat is “studying a possible suspension of the channel”.
The overall transmission rights to cover the FIFA tournament are held for the Middle East by Doha-based beIN Sport.
The head of Al-Hawiah, Mohammed Al-Emad, told a local press conference that he’d obtained permission to show the games through his contacts with leading figures in Qatar, and the matches were shown with permission – but he later retracted his statement.