beIN extends LALIGA rights in Asia-Pacific

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beIN Media Group has extended its exclusive broadcast rights for LALIGA across 11 Asia-Pacific (APAC) markets until the end of the 2026/27 season, including Australia and New Zealand.

This deal ensures that the company’s flagship channel, beIN Sports, will continue to be the home of Spanish football in these regions, covering all 380 LALIGA matches throughout the season. The agreement also marks the return of LALIGA broadcasts to Australia and New Zealand.

Optus Sport held exclusive rights for the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons in Australia but have opted not to extend their original two-year deal beyond its expiry for reasons unknown.

Since 2015, beIN has held the rights to LALIGA in APAC. The extension of this partnership reflects a shared commitment between beIN and LALIGA to grow the sport’s presence in the region.

The deal also includes collaborative efforts to combat audiovisual piracy in Indonesia and Malaysia specifically, aiming to protect the integrity of the sport and its broadcast.

LALIGA President Javier Tebas explained the importance of expanding the league worldwide through this deal.

“At La Liga, we always look for best-in-class partners to deliver Spanish football to fans everywhere. Our relationship with beIN has been essential for us in order to ensure people in APAC to be able to enjoy a unique competition as La Liga to the fullest,” Tebas said in a press release.

“We are sure that the next seasons are going to be unparalleled ones for our fans across the region.”

beIN Media Group CEO Yousef Al-Obaidly expressed his excitement at the new extension.

“We are delighted to extend our contract with LALIGA with two significant multi-year deals across 34 countries,” Al-Obaidly said in a press release.

“As long-term, committed partners of La Liga, we are proud to help Spanish football grow worldwide through our world-class broadcasting and our significant and dependable investment.”

With this deal being secured and announced so close to the season starting, fans across APAC can watch all matches live and on-demand through beIN Sports and its streaming app, beIN Sports CONNECT which is $14.99/month for Australian viewers. It lands back in its original home after two years where LALIGA was a part of Optus Sports’ multi league lineup.

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UEFA’s Role in Operation Kratos: stopping global piracy

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UEFA against anti-piracy, supports Operation Kratos
Image Credit: UEFA Website

UEFA has publicly issued support for Operation Kratos, a multinational effort to prevent international piracy.

Headed by the Republic of Bulgaria’s Ministry of the Interior and supported by police agencies from the Italian and Croation Republics alongside Europol and Eurojust, as well as Spanish football league LaLiga, Operation Kratos has actively dismantled a global piracy network used by over 22 million users.

Executed throughout the middle of 2024, during major sporting events such as the, Paris Olympics, UEFA EUROs tournament and UEFA Champions League, Operation Kratos undertook 112 search and seizures of equipment, and identified 102 suspects, arresting 11.

Across the seizures, law enforcement discovered 270 IPTV devices, 100 domains that had been used for crime, and nearly 30 servers. In addition, authorities found weapons, drugs, 2.65 million AUD in cryptocurrency and 66,000 AUD in cash.

UEFA played a crucial part in the operation, providing critical and prompt information on illegal sports streams. Information was gained through UEFA’s widespread content protection program which monitors for stolen content using the latest available technology.

A UEFA spokesperson highlighted the value of Operation Kratos for the organisation and sport as a whole.

“UEFA welcomes and supports such a successful and unprecedented operation that neutralised a record number of illegal streaming platforms and illegal IPTV services. We would like to thank the various stakeholders involved for their ongoing efforts and the high level of cooperation in fighting digital piracy by bringing actions such as this against organised crime”

“Financial revenue generated from media rights is vital for the well-being of both professional and amateur football. In particular, it is essential to football development and grassroots investment throughout Europe.

“The fight against the online piracy of our competitions remains a key priority for UEFA. We are committed to doing whatever is possible to stop this core threat to the revenues which underpin the European football ecosystem.”

UEFA will continue to assist organisations in the fight against piracy.

Football Queensland’s infrastructure proposal for 2032 Olympics

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Football Australia and Football Queensland have presented a comprehensive infrastructure proposal for the Queensland Government’s 100-day infrastructure review for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, positioning the sport as a key driver of long-term regional development.

The submission champions a strategic approach that leverages football’s significant community impact, highlighting the sport’s 350,000 active participants across Queensland.

Central to the proposal is a purpose-built Tier 2 rectangular stadium, potentially located at Perry Park, designed to accommodate 17,000 to 20,000 spectators with capacity for an additional 13,000 temporary seats during the Games.

The proposal also includes:

Enhancements to Training Sites

  • Strategic upgrades to Meakin Park’s Queensland State Home of Community Football, creating a versatile multi-sport infrastructure in a rapidly expanding urban corridor.
  • Guarantees FIFA tournament compliance while establishing enduring high-performance facilities for community and elite athletes.

Innovative Regionalisation Approach

  • Champions a decentralised Games delivery model to amplify participation across broader Queensland communities.
  • Introduces collaborative content-sharing and strategic partnerships to bolster regional sporting infrastructure and engagement.

Cost Savings and Value Creation

  • Identifies potential savings and revenue opportunities exceeding $1 billion through optimised venue design.
  • Commits to generating substantive economic benefits and sustainable legacies for Queensland’s diverse communities.

Football Australia Chairman Anter Isaac emphasised the proposal’s broader vision.

“Brisbane 2032 represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver a legacy for communities across Queensland and across the Asia-Pacific region. Football’s submission aligns with a best for city, state and games, master planned approach with a focus on innovation and sustainability,” Issac commented on FQ official press release.

Football Australia CEO James Johnson also joined in underscoring the stadium’s significance.

“A purpose-built rectangular stadium is critical to addressing the needs of the sport in Queensland. This venue will not only elevate the fan experience but also position Brisbane to host future international tournaments,” Johnson explained via FQ official press release.

Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci was keen to highlight the grassroots focus that this investment would deliver.

“Football Queensland’s priority is to ensure the benefits of Brisbane 2032 extend to every community in the state. By investing in regional and grassroots infrastructure, this proposal ensures all Queenslanders can be part of the Games’ legacy,” Cavallucci expressed via FQ official press release.

The proposal has garnered support from key stakeholders including the Asian Football Confederation, Oceania Football Confederation, Australian Professional Leagues, Brisbane Roar, and Professional Footballers Australia.

Football Australia and Football Queensland’s approach show a unified football push to try and garner an exciting sporting and footballing spine within the city of Brisbane and wider areas, using innovation and sustainability to enhance a positive prospect.

With a comprehensive vision spanning elite and community levels, football’s Olympic submission represents a significant strategic play for the sport’s future in Queensland.

Read the official proposal from Football Queensland here.

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