Satellite – File Photo/Pixabay
CAIRO – 16 June 2017: Libya is preparing to make a case to FIFA to stop the Qatari sports network (BeIN Sports) from broadcasting the FIFA Confederations Cup over allegations that Doha stole Es’hailSat from Tripoli in 2013, Libyan media sources claimed Thursday.
The sources said Qatar stole Es’hailSat satellite during its negotiations with the French BeIN Sports in order to avoid any disruption by Egyptian satellites Nilesat or Arabsat.
They claimed the satellite, which launched in 2007 from the Guiana base in France at a cost of €400 million ($446.9 million), vanished from its orbit in 2013. Libyan intelligence claimed that an anonymous entity sold it.
Investigations alleged that Qatar converted the orbit of Es’hailSat in 2013 and oriented it to serve the Qatari broadcast system, helping Qatar to land the deal of broadcasting the World Cup in 2014 and Union of European Football Associations championship in 2016.
The Libyan authorities are compiling a file of evidence to present to FIFA in the coming period, the sources said. According to the Es’hailSat website, Qatar launched the satellite in August 2013.
The eastern-based Libyan government, along with Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and other countries severed diplomatic ties with Doha on June 5 over accusations of funding terrorism.
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