Middle East countries step up action against beIN Sports

Qatar-based pay-television broadcaster beIN Sports has come under further sanctions in the Middle East region following action taken in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Saudi Arabia's General Commission for Audiovisual Media has banned the import of beIN Sports receivers and stopped the sale and renewal of subscriptions to the channels.

The Gulf News newspaper said the commission has ruled that current subscriptions would remain in place to safeguard the rights of Saudi and foreign subscribers, but will not be permitted for renewal once they expire.

In Manama, the capital of Bahrain, the Ministry of Information has announced a similar ban, also including provisions for existing subscribers.

Earlier this month, UAE pay-television providers Etisalat and du stopped broadcasting beIN Sports channels after a number of Arab states, including the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, cut diplomatic ties with Qatar.

The Gulf News added that UAE authorities have now also banned the sale of beIN Sports receivers in Emirati markets. Any stores found selling or renewing beIN Sports subscription cards face the risk of being fined.