FIFA backs Al Jazeera during World Cup jamming

Football governing body FIFA has criticised attempts to jam Al-Jazeera Sport channel’s World Cup transmission, according to local reports.

Al Jazeera Sport, which has exclusive World Cup broadcast rights for the Middle East and North Africa, switched satellites in an attempt to avoid the interference from unknown elements but the broadcast was still affected. Viewers across the region could not watch live coverage of the opening match on Friday and during Saturday’s match between Argentina and Nigeria after signals were deliberately jammed on Nilesat and Arabsat satellites.

FIFA said it would help the broadcaster locate and prosecute those responsible. Following the disruption, Al Jazeera launched a free-to-air channel to broadcast matches.