A petition has been launched by some of the Arab world’s biggest former athletes against Qatar’s beIN Sports’ politicization of the World Cup throughout its broadcast.

 

The petition was launched under the sports4everyone.org website where they have invited fans to urge FIFA President Gianni Infantino to look into beIN Sports’ coverage in recent weeks.

 

Several prominent sports figures, including players, commentators and referees signed the petition in protest against the Qatari channels after their broadcasters, commentators and analysts are found involved in deliberately including political comments in sports programs and analytical live coverage from their studios during the course of the matches.

 

“Sports rises above politics. FIFA tried to keep politics away from game. As fans, we are saddened by BeIn using its permission to telecast sports to transmit political agenda, violating FIFA rules,” the petition read.

 

“BeIn exploited its rights to aggravate dispute between Qatar and Saudi, insulting our nations during the opening match,” it added.

 

The website has also included at least nine video clips of beIN Sports presenters politicizing the opening match between Saudi Arabia and World Cup host nation Russia.