AFCON Games Were Pirated Using Arabsat Satellite Services

The Confederation African Football (CAF) says it witnessed a major hacking operation committed by pirate television platform called BeoutQ, during its flagship competition, the final tournament of the Total Africa Cup of Nations which took place in Egypt from 21 June to 19 July. The CAF said all 36 matches in the group phase were fraudulently diverted and made available on BeoutQ, with the support of satellite provider Arabsat, which has refused to take down the illegal broadcasts.

Only BeIN Sports has a contract from CAF to broadcast, on an exclusive basis and with the right to sub-license, the matches of the Total Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2019 in the MENA countries. The Egyptian channel Time Sport Channel, as the host television of the Competition, was authorized by CAF to broadcast the games by free terrestrial television throughout the territory of Egypt.