Saudi Gazette CAIRO — Egyptians are angry because of the exclusive broadcasting of the Africa Cup of Nations that recently started. Many Egyptian sports channels failed to buy the broadcasting rights as they discovered that Issa Hayatou, President of the Confederation of African Football, sold the Africa Cup of Nations broadcasting rights without any tender. BeIn sports is the only network that will be broadcasting Africa Cup of Nations for the next twelve years. Egypt sued Issa Hayatou for misusing his position and violating the rules. Angry Egyptians have no choice other than to subscribe to BeIn sports to watch their national team or to watch it in coffee shops that are paying for the network. "I can't believe that we are prevented from watching our national team in the most important regional championship. They even prevented the local television broadcast. I wish a serious action is taken against those who misuse their positions and sell the rights without any consideration for the law," said Mohannad Emad, a 30 year old Egyptian male, who refused to subscribe to BeIn sports to watch the championship. "They exploit people's passion for football in order to gain money. I'm a BeIn sports subscriber but I'll not renew my package when it ends, I mean, who has the right to prevent people from watching their national team for free? Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria faces the same case. I'll not give them a chance to gain money from me anymore. When people don't subscribe, that is the real action," said Sherif Fahmy, a 35 year old Egyptian male. On the other hand, many people manage to watch the championship in cafes, as they have no other choice. "I'm so angry but I'll look at the bright side that we will gather with friends in any café to support our national team together like we are at the stadium and we will have the championship spirit," said Nader El Shamy, an Egyptian male. Yara Hassan believes that, in each family, there maybe at least one member who is subscribed to BeIn sports. "I know it's unfair, especially for women, because not all of them can leave their children and go to the cafes like everyone else, but we manage to watch it in one of my family member's house who has subscribed to BeIn sports, but of course we'd rather watch the match in our homes if it is affordable," said Yara.
