Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Arabsat) on Monday "denied reports that it was distributing content from television channel beoutQ," which several int'l sporting bodies have "accused of illegally airing their matches," according to Ghaida Ghantous of REUTERS. Riyadh-based Arabsat said that it sent a letter to FIFA on July 15 informing the governing body that an investigation by "seven independent satellite communications experts" confirmed that its satellite frequencies have not been used by beoutQ for illegal broadcasts of World Cup matches. Last week, FIFA said that it "engaged legal counsel to take action in Saudi Arabia against beoutQ." BeoutQ could not be reached for comment. It is "unclear who owns or operates the channel." Riyadh said that it is "not based in the Gulf Arab state." Arabsat, which was founded in '76 by Arab League member states, said in a statement carried by Saudi media that it was "responding to FIFA's claims that beoutQ was operating on specific Arabsat frequencies." Arabsat CEO Khalid Balkheyour said, "Arabsat has always been confident that our satellite network has not been used by beoutQ" (REUTERS, 7/16).
