Oman, which has managed to stay ‘neutral’ in the increasingly bitter dispute between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, has banned the possession and import of the so-called beoutQ decoder boxes.

These set-top boxes decode pirated satellite transmissions from within Saudi Arabia of legitimate broadcasts by Qatar-based beIN Sports.

“The import of these decoders, called beoutQ, was banned because they violate the law on intellectual property,” said the official on condition of anonymity.

The decoders would have enabled owners to watch pirated transmissions of the upcoming FIFA World Cup football tournament.

Sources in Oman, speaking to local press in Muscat, say beIN has sent requests to several countries asking them to ban ‘beoutQ’ decoders.