February 14 – Already in the wars over financial fair play, Paris Saint-Germain have been left embarrassed again after part of their Champions League last-16 game against Manchester United was accidentally illegally streamed live to a global audience on social media platform Facebook
Some PSG fans were able to tune in and watch the victory via the club’s official Facebook page, with Le Parisien newspaper reporting over 1.4 million people watched the last-16 first-leg clash on the social media platform.
PSG said the error occurred due to a geolocation problem, adding that Facebook teams are currently investigating the matter to ensure that it does not happen again.
French broadcaster RMC hold exclusive broadcasting rights for the competition in France, having paid over €350million to show Champions League and Europa League games this season.
Apparently a previously agreed Brazil-only feed with Esporte Interativo accidentally went out globally before being taken down with thousands of users in France enjoying free access to a supposed “pirate” broadcast.
The inadvertent piracy is particularly embarrassing for PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi who has just taken a position on UEFA’s executive committee. He is also chairman of the Qatari-owned beIN Sports media group that has rallying rights holders around the industrial piracy of its own sports rights by Saudi-distributed channel beoutQ.
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