Ministry of Finance and Treasury is set to provide Public Service Media (PSM) with USD 800,000 (MVR 12.3 million) to air the 2022 FIFA World Cup matches free of charge.

When the Broadcasting Commission amended the list of events to be broadcast free of cost to the public, World Cup matches were removed from the list. Hence, PSM had no option other than to buy them from Medianet, who is the licensed broadcaster of the matches in the Maldives.

PSM had then decided to charge the public a small fee to air the matches, which was met with widespread public concern, including several lawmakers.

Deputy Managing Director at PSM, Mohamed Shameem revealed to One Online that while they were working on securing funds to air the matches, the government had not denied that the funds would be arranged for them.

However, not that the funds have been arranged, the matches will be aired by PSM without charging the public any fee. The matches will be broadcast via their YES TV.