World Cup: France, Spain submit complaint to FIFA over ‘disastrous’ decision

Broadcasters in France and Spain have lodged a complaint with FIFA concerning its decision to designate ExpressVPN as an official sponsor of the World Cup.

ExpressVPN, a virtual private network service that safeguards users’ online privacy, was announced as an official partner of the World Cup prior to the tournament’s commencement and has been prominently displayed on advertising boards during matches.

However, Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga, who has spearheaded efforts against illegal football streaming in Spain, has expressed his discontent with the promotion of a VPN service at the World Cup, as its usage can hinder authorities’ ability to monitor individuals who illegally stream matches.

Tebas asserted last year that La Liga clubs are incurring losses of up to €700 million (£597 million) in revenue due to illegal football streaming.

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In a letter reviewed by the French newspaper L’Equipe, Tebas addressed FIFA president Gianni Infantino, stating that the promotion of ExpressVPN ‘conveys a detrimental message to the entire football ecosystem.’

Tebas articulated in his correspondence: ‘I am reaching out on behalf of La Liga to formally register a complaint regarding the recent announcement of the sponsorship agreement established between FIFA and ExpressVPN.

‘La Liga contends that this agreement is clearly at odds with the principles of safeguarding football’s audio-visual rights that should guide the actions of the governing body of world football.

The decision by FIFA to enter into a partnership with a company that actively promotes the piracy of sports content conveys a profoundly negative message to the entire football community. This action threatens ongoing legal actions. La Liga, beIN Sports France, Canal+, and various other sports organizations have initiated lawsuits against ExpressVPN in multiple jurisdictions.

Simultaneously, the Association for the Protection of Sports Programs (APPS), which encompasses all major sports broadcasters in France, has also sent a letter to Infantino expressing its ‘deep concern’ regarding FIFA’s sponsorship deal.

The correspondence further stated: ‘Considering FIFA’s role and responsibilities as the global governing body of football, we believe that heightened vigilance is necessary to ensure that such partnerships align with the overarching goal of maintaining the integrity, sustainability, and value of sporting events, as well as their audiovisual rights.’

Last year, prominent French broadcaster Canal+ secured a ruling from the Paris Judicial Court mandating five VPN providers, including ExpressVPN, to block 203 domain names linked to illegal sports streaming platforms.

In response to the grievances, FIFA issued a statement to L’Equipe, asserting: ‘In line with regulations and best market practices, FIFA undertakes due diligence and a comprehensive evaluation prior to entering any new commercial partnership. It has thoroughly assessed the potential consequences of the sponsorship agreement and has implemented measures to ensure that it does not compromise the efforts of rights holders or stakeholders.’

In a communication to its users, ExpressVPN advises against utilizing its service for ‘illegal activities’.

‘The internet should be a place of freedom, security, and privacy—but in many parts of the world, that’s not always the case,’ the message read.

‘Governments impose restrictions, ISPs track browsing habits, and cyber threats lurk around every corner. A VPN helps restore your right to online privacy, but using one wisely is key.

‘While VPNs are legal in most countries, some governments restrict them to control information, enforce censorship, or monitor activity. That’s why it’s important to stay informed about local regulations before connecting.

‘A VPN should be a tool for privacy and security, not a loophole for illegal activities.’

World Cup: France, Spain submit complaint to FIFA over ‘disastrous’ decision