LAUSANNE: Swiss prosecutors on Tuesday called for Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and former FIFA number two Jerome Valcke to face prison for alleged corruption in the allocation of World Cup TV rights.
The prosecution called for a 28-month sentence for Al-Khelaifi, who is also president of beIN Media, and three years for Valcke as their trial moved into its final days, the Swiss agency Keystone ATS reported.
This is the first time prison sentences have been requested in a European court in trials relating to the multiple scandals in world football, although former officials from the Americas have received jail sentences in the United States.
It will be the first judgment handed down in Switzerland, the seat of most international sports organizations, in the 20 or so proceedings opened in the last five years involving FIFA.
The Swiss Federal Criminal Court of Bellinzona has been trying Valcke on two charges related to his quest for money to maintain what Federal Prosecutor Joel Pahud called a “spendthrift” lifestyle.
Al-Khelaifi is included in the first charge. The public prosecutor’s office said Valcke sought the Qatari’s help in the summer of 2003 to buy a luxury villa in Sardinia, at a time when beIN, a Qatari-owned broadcaster, was negotiating the extension of its media rights in North Africa and the Middle East for the 2026 and 2030 World Cups.
The prosecutor said Al-Khelaifi acquired the house for five million euros ($5.85 million), via a company that was transferred almost immediately to the brother of one of his close collaborators, before it was made available to Valcke.
The two men denied a “corrupt agreement” and said the deal was a “private” arrangement, unrelated to the contract concluded by beIN with FIFA in April 2014.
The defendants also argued the deal, which FIFA has never tried to undo, was “golden” and “sublime” since the $480 million dollars beIN paid for the two World Cups was 60% more than for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, when it faced no competition.
The prosecution said Valcke committed to “do what was in his power” to ensure beIN would win the contract and should have declared the Villa Bianca deal to his employers. They said he had been pressured by Al-Khaleifa to illegally damage FIFA’s interests.
Pahud also accused Al Khelaifi of “contempt for justice” because he did not cooperate with the investigation and denied buying the villa despite evidence of the purchase.
The defense argued that the trial was “muddied” by the revelation of informal meetings between former Swiss attorney general Michael Lauber and current FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Lauber resigned from his post in July and both men are under investigation for suspected collusion.
Al-Khelaifi’s lawyers have told AFP that the charges against their client are “clearly artificial.”
The Swiss prosecutors had to drop a charge of corruption because of an out-of-court settlement in January between Al Khelaifi and FIFA, which then withdrew its complaint against him.
Valcke also stands accused of exploiting his position at FIFA to influence the awarding of media rights for Italy and Greece for World Cups and other tournaments between 2018 and 2030 “to favor media partners that he preferred” in exchange for payments from Greek businessman Dinos Deris, who has also been charged.
Pahud said he accepts that the 59-year-old Frenchman has paid a heavy price over the past five years.
Valcke, a former journalist who lives in Barcelona, “has suffered professionally in recent years. He has not found a job after FIFA,” Pahud said.
Valcke told the court that he had been unable to open a bank account in Europe since 2017, had to sell his yacht and jewelry and had his Porsche Cayenne stolen.
He said that attempts to make a new start had been “polluted” by interventions from FIFA.
The defense will present their final arguments on Wednesday and Thursday.
Swiss prosecutors call for Al-Khelaifi, Valcke to face prison in beIN TV rights trial
https://arab.news/8cjhy
Swiss prosecutors call for Al-Khelaifi, Valcke to face prison in beIN TV rights trial
- The prosecution called for a 28-month sentence for Al-Khelaifi, and three years for Valcke as their trial moved into its final days
CNN issues apology after panelist’s ‘terrorist’ remark directed at Mehdi Hasan
- Political commentator Ryan James Girdusky said he hoped Hasan’s ‘beeper doesn’t go off,’ in apparent reference to Israel’s pagers attack
- ‘There is zero room for racism or bigotry at CNN,’ network said
LONDON: CNN issued an apology after a panelist on its program suggested that fellow guest Mehdi Hasan was a “terrorist.”
The incident occurred on Monday night’s broadcast of NewsNight, when conservative commentator Ryan James Girdusky told Hasan, the founder of the recently launched news site Zeteo and former MSNBC host, that he hoped his “beeper doesn’t go off.”
This appeared to reference Israel’s recent targeting of Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon using explosive pager devices, which killed 12 and injured many more.
“Did your guest just say I should be killed on live TV?” Hasan asked the show’s anchor, Abby Phillip.
Girdusky to Hasan: I hope your beeper doesn’t go off pic.twitter.com/YmHhYnkDZ3
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 29, 2024
After a commercial break, Phillip issued an on-air apology to Hasan and viewers and said Girdusky had been removed from the show.
“I want to apologize to Mehdi Hasan for what was said at this table. It was completely unacceptable,” she said. “I want to apologize to the viewers at home.”
Hasan also did not reappear on the show after the commercial break, leading to some speculation that he was also asked to leave, although Philip later said in a video on X, which was also reposted by Hasan, that the network “really wanted him to come back and finish the show.”
The exchange began when the two guests were invited to discuss the upcoming US election and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
Hasan referenced Donald Trump’s recent rally and accusations that the Trump campaign is spreading Nazi-style ideas.
Girdusky then accused Hasan, an outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights, of being “the most antisemitic person at this table,” a label Hasan said he frequently faces due to his views.
“Yeah, well, I hope your beeper doesn’t go off,” Girdusky then said, before attempting to justify his words by claiming he thought Hasan said he supported Hamas.
“You didn’t think I said Hamas. I said I’m a supporter of Palestinian rights,” Hasan said, adding, “At least have the guts to support your racist comment.”
In a later post on X, however, the conservative political consultant and writer appeared to double down on his remarks, saying, “You can stay on CNN if you falsely call every Republican a Nazi and have taken money from Qatar-funded media,” he said. “Apparently you can’t go on CNN if you make a joke. I’m glad America gets to see what CNN stands for.”
Phillip: I want to apologize to Mehdi Hasan for what was said at this table. It was completely unacceptable when we get this discussion started, you'll see that Ryan is not at the table… I want to apologize to the viewers at home pic.twitter.com/wyPaStHUex
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 29, 2024
Following the exchange, CNN announced that it would no longer feature appearances from Girdusky.
“There is zero room for racism or bigotry at CNN or on our air,” the network said in a statement. “We aim to foster thoughtful conversations and debate including between people who profoundly disagree with each other in order to explore important issues and promote mutual understanding.
“But we will not allow guests to be demeaned or for the line of civility to be crossed. Ryan Girdusky will not be welcomed back at our network.”
The incident prompted widespread condemnation, with several people describing the comments as an overtly racist attack.
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, who is Muslim and Palestinian-American, wrote on X: “CNN has played a central role in normalizing this kind of open anti-Arab, anti-Muslim, and anti-Palestinian hate, and it’s sadly totally unsurprising to see such disgusting statements aired so casually on its network now.”
Report: Washington Post loses more than 200,000 subscriptions following non-endorsement
- The reported loss of subscriptions of that magnitude would be a blow to a news outlet that is already facing financial headwinds
NEW YORK: More than 200,000 people have canceled subscriptions to The Washington Post since the newspaper announced its decision last week not to endorse a candidate for president, a published report said Monday.
NPR reported the figure, citing “two people at the paper with knowledge of internal matters.”
The reported loss of subscriptions of that magnitude would be a blow to a news outlet that is already facing financial headwinds. The Post had more than 2.5 million subscribers last year, the bulk of them digital, making it third behind The New York Times and Wall Street Journal in circulation.
A Post spokeswoman, Olivia Peterson, would not comment on the report when contacted by The Associated Press.
The Post’s editorial staff had reportedly prepared an endorsement of Democrat Kamala Harris before announcing instead Friday that it would leave it up for readers to make up their own minds. The timing, less than two weeks before Election Day, led critics to question whether Post owner and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos had been concerned about whether Republican Donald Trump might retaliate if he were elected president.
The Post’s retired former editor, Marty Baron, had denounced the decision on social media as “cowardice, with democracy as its casualty.”
Some journalists, including Post columnist Dana Milbank, urged readers not to express their anger at the decision by canceling subscriptions, for fear it could cost reporters or editors their jobs.
The Post’s decision came only days after the Los Angeles Times also said it would not endorse a presidential candidate, which the newspaper has acknowledged has cost them thousands of subscribers.
An article on the Post’s website about the fallout from the non-endorsement had more than 2,000 comments, many of them from readers saying they were leaving.
“I am unsubscribing after 70 years,” wrote one commenter, claiming to have lost hope and belief that the Post would publish the truth.
Veteran editor Othman Al Omeir honored at UK Parliament
- Othman Al Omeir was awarded the Legacy of Change Medal by the Parliamentary Society for Arts
LONDON: Celebrated journalist and editor Othman Al Omeir was awarded the Legacy of Change Medal by the Parliamentary Society for Arts last week.
The ceremony, held in Committee Room 14, an esteemed space within the House of Parliament usually reserved for significant political announcements, acknowledged Al Omeir’s contributions to media and advocacy.
The assembly was organized by Rebeca Riofrio, chairwoman of the Parliamentary Society for Arts, and brought together leaders from the creative industries.
Among the distinguished guests was Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls Alex Davies-Jones, who delivered an impassioned speech underscoring the UK government’s commitment to addressing the issue of violence in the arts. Her speech highlighted the importance of advocacy for all artists, echoing the assembly’s overarching theme of resilience and protection within the creative sectors.
Other notable figures such as Joshua Kane and Marine Tanguy were also honored for their impactful contributions to arts and culture.
Born in Saudi Arabia and a British citizen for the past 40 years, Al Omeir has spent decades shaping the Arab world’s media.
He has been closely connected with the Parliamentary Society for the past five years and has long championed initiatives to protect creatives and uphold the integrity of journalism. His presence, alongside influential figures such as Minister Davies-Jones, Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, Dame Tessy Antony de Nassau, and Lady Paris Smith, underscored his dedication to advancing a free and supportive media landscape.
As the founder of Elaph, the first independent Arabic e-newspaper, Al Omeir sought to break free from censorship and provide a space for liberal perspectives, promoting open dialogue on issues affecting the Arab region and beyond.
Nowadays, he serves as one of the advisers for the Parliament News Magazine, a publication that has gained recognition for addressing critical social issues since 2019.
In his ongoing work, Al Omeir uses his platforms to encourage the industry to work collectively to safeguard its talent, highlighting the pervasive challenges that creatives can face, such as violence and substance abuse.
Reflecting on the award, Al Omeir stated: “To receive this recognition in such a revered space as Committee Room 14 is deeply meaningful. Media is not just about information; it’s a powerful force for justice and societal progress. We must use this influence to protect those who bring creativity and truth into our world, ensuring they can express themselves without fear.”
Lebanon complains to UN over latest deadly Israel strike on journalists
- Lebanon submitted “a complaint to the Security Council regarding the latest Israeli attacks that targeted journalists and media facilities in Hasbaya in south Lebanon
BEIRUT: Lebanon said Monday it had submitted a complaint to the United Nations Security Council over an Israeli strike last week that killed three journalists in the country’s south.
The strike early Friday hit a complex in the Druze-majority town of Hasbaya in south Lebanon where more than a dozen journalists from Lebanese and Arab media outlets were sleeping.
The Israeli army said Friday that the strike was “under review,” maintaining it had targeted Hezbollah militants.
Lebanon submitted “a complaint to the Security Council regarding the latest Israeli attacks that targeted journalists and media facilities in Hasbaya in south Lebanon, and the Ouzai area” in Beirut’s southern suburbs, a statement from the foreign ministry said on social media platform X.
“The repeated Israeli targeting of media crews is a war crime” and Israel must be “held to account and punished,” the statement added.
Cameraman Ghassan Najjar and broadcast engineer Mohammad Reda from pro-Iran, Beirut-based broadcaster Al-Mayadeen, and video journalist Wissam Qassem from Hezbollah’s Al-Manar television, were killed in the strike on the complex in Hasbaya, relatively far from the Israel-Hezbollah war’s main flashpoints.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati said the attack was deliberate and both he and Information Minister Ziad Makary labelled it a war crime.
Days earlier, Al-Mayadeen said an Israeli strike hit an office the broadcaster had vacated near Ouzai in south Beirut.
Israel launched an intense air campaign in Lebanon last month and later launched ground incursions following a year of cross-border clashes with the Iran-backed Hezbollah group over the Gaza war.
In October last year, Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah was killed by Israeli shellfire while he was covering southern Lebanon, and six other journalists were wounded, including AFP’s Dylan Collins and Christina Assi, who had to have her right leg amputated.
Last November, Israeli bombardment killed Al-Mayadeen correspondent Farah Omar and cameraman Rabih Maamari, the channel said.
Lebanese rights groups said five more journalists and photographers working for local media had been killed in Israeli strikes on the country’s south and Beirut’s southern suburbs.
New study on Saudi online ad-viewing habits released
- Plan to better tailor adverts for consumers in Mideast, North Africa
- Online platforms surveyed include YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat
DUBAI: International advertising group Dentsu has released the results of a new study of the habits of Saudi Arabia and other consumers across five social media platforms including YouTube, Instagram and Snapchat.
The “Unlocking the Currency of Attention KSA” report “is the first in the world which specifically looks at the viewing and retention habits of our Arabic MENA audience,” said Ramzy Abouchacra, media practice president, dentsu MENA.
He added that “it’s set to reshape the way we create and disseminate advertising content” in the Middle East and North Africa region.
The study aims to “bridge the gap between traditional measurement metrics and actual human behavior, offering vital insights into how attention shapes advertising effectiveness,” he told Arab News.
To determine human behavior on social media, the study simulated real-world use of social and video platforms using tools including eye-tracking software and brand-recall exercises, he explained.
The results of the study were then analyzed to understand audiences’ attention spans and the impact of advertising content on consumers, he added.
One of the key findings of the study is that an ad being “viewable” does not guarantee it is “viewed.” The former refers to the opportunity for the ad to be seen whereas the latter ensures the audience has actively viewed the advert.
For example, at least 50 percent of the advert’s pixels should be visible in the browser window for a continuous 1 second for images and 2 seconds for videos.
Abouchacra said the shift to attention and impact is aimed at assessing whether an ad is “viewable,” or made available for someone to view. But also whether it is “viewed,” which means “catching the attention of desired audiences and therefore being actively viewed.”
This richer understanding of how audiences behave and consume content allows advertisers and agencies to better tailor their ad campaigns, he added.
Diving deeper, the study found that even though one platform had an average viewable time of 15.1 seconds, ads were only viewed for approximately 33 percent of that time (5.3 seconds). This suggested that the content did not capture the audience’s attention.
For example, if an ad is not interesting, the viewer might decide to step away resulting in the ad still being played, which in turn would make it viewable. However, it does mean it was not viewed because it did not capture the viewer’s attention.
“A reduction in views doesn’t necessarily mean that someone stepped away from a screen, it could also be that a viewer disconnects from the ad or diverts their attention to something else,” said Abouchacra.
He added that this was “particularly common in the era of multi-screen viewing habits — and therefore the content is not absorbed, reducing its effectiveness.”
Overall, social media content in the Middle East and North Africa region had “lower visibility” compared to international markets, but viewed times across most platforms was higher with an average time of 6 seconds versus a global benchmark of 4.36 seconds, he said.
This implies that audiences in the region are more inclined to watch content for longer, even though they may be presented with less opportunities to see it, Abouchacra added.
The report is another step in Dentsu’s commitment to Saudi Arabia with the network being present in the Kingdom for the last 17 years. This year it opened a regional headquarters in Riyadh in addition to the pre-existing office in Jeddah.
In a separate interview, Tarek Daouk, CEO of Dentsu’s recently created Middle East, North Africa and Turkiye operation, told Arab News the company wants to create a “locational and cultural hub connecting East and West.”
This would provide the “opportunity for local clients to expand globally, and international clients to engage with the growth opportunities within the Kingdom and beyond,” said Daouk.