Gulf Football Union: We deal fairly and transparently with all host countries of the Gulf Cup

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Football Association has reaffirmed its commitment to managing the technical, organizational, and financial aspects of its tournaments within clear institutional frameworks, in continuous coordination with the organizing committee of the current Gulf Cup (Gulf 27), being held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In an official statement, the Association clarified that Gulf 27 has seen continuous cooperation and coordination between the GCC Football Association and the tournament’s organizing committee since the preparatory phase, alongside sustained efforts by various Association committees comprising extensive expertise in managing major tournaments and implementing approved regulations and standards.

Regarding tickets, the Association explained that the initial pricing structure for the tournament was agreed upon and approved in advance, in coordination with the local organizing committee, as part of the established tournament arrangements.

The Association noted that it treats all host countries and cities for the Gulf Cup according to the same standards, with the constant goal of presenting the tournament at a level befitting its history and status, while simultaneously showcasing the host country and city in a manner that reflects their capabilities and organizational standing to the tournament’s fans both within the region and abroad.

On the matter of television broadcasting, the GCC Football Association revealed in its statement that it prioritized providing high-quality television production through IMG, a global company with extensive expertise in sports production and television broadcasting.

The Association disclosed that technical coordination between IMG and the organizing committee began well before the tournament’s launch, adding that the committee was provided with all requirements and needs related to production and broadcasting, including the number of cameras, their placement, broadcast trucks, and technical equipment, through detailed independent reports for each stadium in the tournament.

The statement clarified that these reports and requirements were available well in advance of the matches, allowing for their review and discussion of any comments or additional requirements during the preparation phase.

It continued that when the tournament began and a request was made to increase the number of cameras used for match coverage, the Association responded immediately, bearing the additional costs resulting from this increase without imposing any extra costs on the local organizing committee, in order to continuously enhance broadcast quality and provide the best possible experience for viewers.

The statement emphasized that the Association worked to expand the tournament’s regional and international reach, making broadcasting rights available to nine channels and platforms in the Arab and Gulf regions, alongside six international broadcasters. This contributed to reaching markets and audiences outside the region, including Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, and several Balkan countries.

The Association concluded by stressing the importance of accuracy when addressing information related to the technical, organizational, and financial aspects of the tournament, and advised referring to official sources when any related information or details are needed.