Dhaka, July 19 -- Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Sunday alleged widespread corruption in Bangladesh's acquisition of the broadcasting rights for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, claiming BTV had spent Tk 98 crore on the rights under the previous government through intermediary deals, with transactions totalling around Tk 140 crore.

Speaking at a press conference at the Press Information Department conference room, he said the current government has instead purchased the media rights directly from FIFA, recovering almost the entire cost through sub-licensing arrangements.

"The government's actual shortfall now stands at only Tk 4-5 crore, and we are trying to bridge even that through ongoing revenue-sharing discussio...