The Burkina Faso-Algeria match (3-2) in Ouagadougou on Saturday ended with an unexpected twist off the field. Following the final whistle, a camera captured an intriguing sign that read: “The match is broadcast by Algerian national TV illegally without having obtained any authorization.”
This unusual message, displayed by Al Jazeera, a Qatari channel holding the broadcast rights to the match, suggests a potential conflict between Algeria and Qatar. Apparently, the broadcasting rights were subject to two conditions – a high price and the opening of an Al Jazeera office in Algiers. While the financial aspect was eventually settled, Algeria reportedly did not comply with the condition of opening an Al Jazeera office, leading to the illegal broadcast of the match.
This incident has the potential to strain relations between Algeria and Qatar, extending beyond the issue of image rights. The unauthorized broadcast may add an unexpected layer to the dynamics between the two nations.
