Media minstry blocks access to beIN SPORTS streaming service on eve of the tournament
Saudi Arabian football fans have been left frustrated by their inability to follow their nation's impressive performance at the Qatar World Cup, after the Saudi Media Ministry reportedly cut off access to TOD.tv, the beIN SPORTS online platform.
Saudi Arabia pulled off a huge shock by beating tournament favourites Argentina 2-1 in their first game of the tournament, putting them in a great position to make it to the second round for the first time since 1994.
However, according to reports, the TOD.tv service was blocked around an hour before the opening ceremony, and no football has been aired on the service inside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since the tournament began.
This left angry fans unable to watch any games and forced them to take to social media to express their anger at the ministry's decision.
beIN SPORTS is FIFA's official broadcaster in the MENA region, and it appears that its live streaming service is fully operational elsewhere in the area.
This move by the Saudi government continues the ongoing saga between the Arab nation and the Qatari-based broadcaster.
Several years ago, beIN Sports was banned from broadcasting in Saudi Arabia entirely and its channels began to appear on an illegal pirate service called BeoutQ. This service is believed to have been backed by the Saudi government.
Relations had seemed to improve after beIN Sports returned to screens in Saudi Arabia last year, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appeared at the Qatar World Cup opening ceremony, but this latest rift would suggest that things aren't completely rosy between the neighbouring countries.
In other news, Saudi Arabia is reportedly preparing to bid for the 2030 edition of the World Cup.
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