PIRACY REPORT BLOW FOR TOON DEAL

THE proposed takeover of Newcastle United is set to be further delayed after a World Trade Organisation report found Saudi Arabia blocked attempts to shut down illegal streaming of Premier League matches. Sources close to the Saudi-led consortium and those who have fought broadcast piracy in the country differ in their views regarding the significance of the WTO report. The buyers remain confident that the Premier League will sign off on the £300million deal and say the report does not rule the Saudi state is directly behind pirate operator beoutQ. They also claim the individuals subject to the league’s owners and directors test have no influence over ability to fix piracy in the country. However, Qatar broadcaster beIN SPORTS, whose feed has been pirated by beoutQ since 2017, believe the Premier League would be ‘acting inconsistently with its own decisions and factual evidence’ were it to approve the takeover having tried and failed to bring legal action against beoutQ on nine occasions. Stephen Nathan QC, counsel for beIN Media Group, said: ‘Today’s WTO ruling is a historic vindication of intellectual property rights. ‘The WTO has established that, since 2017, the Saudi government has played a central role in enabling and promoting beoutQ’s theft of world sport and entertainment — the most widespread and damaging piracy operation that the world has ever seen. ‘The damage to the Premier League, other rights-holders and broadcasters has been colossal, and it has been brought about by Saudi Arabia’s promotion and support for beoutQ’s piracy.’ Meanwhile, Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston says the takeover remains a matter for the Premier League, but believes broadcast piracy in Saudi is a ‘concern’. He said: ‘This is an issue that does concern me and I have no doubt about how important it is to make sure that international property rights are respected globally. We do raise those issues.’