The EFA: “We will not deal with beIN Sports channels”

Egypt’s national team has suspended Qatari satellite company beIN Sports from covering their training in Tunisia in preparation for the game against the North African side in the 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

“We will not deal with beIN Sports channels and we will not allow them to join the training sessions,” EFA boss Hany Abo Rida announced on Saturday.

“We will also boycott press conferences if there are beIN Sports cameras,” he added.

“We are ready to pay the fines, but we will not retract our decision.”

The Pharaohs will start the AFCON 2019 qualifiers campaign against North African neighbours Tunisia on Sunday.

On Monday, Egypt announced that it was severing diplomatic relations with Qatar due to what it said is the Gulf country’s ongoing support for terrorist organisations and meddling in the internal affairs of Egypt.

BeIN Sports holds the exclusive rights to cover the African Champions League, the Confederation Cup and the African Cup of Nations.

The satellite giant will be allowed to broadcast the games, but has been banned from other media coverage inside the clubs or conducting interviews.