Thiruvananthapuram, June 22 -- Keralam Sports Minister O. J. Janeesh on Monday announced that the public will now be able to watch FIFA World Cup football matches free of cost through non-commercial public screenings.

Concerns had arisen after the broadcast rights for the FIFA World Cup in India were awarded to Zee Entertainment, and its streaming platform, Zee5, entered into an agreement with Kerala-based private football club Eagles FC Kerala for public streaming rights in the state. This led to apprehensions that licences would be required for all public screenings in Kerala.

Following urgent intervention by the state government, discussions were held with Eagles FC Kerala, resulting in a decision to provide free screening permission...