Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Premier League, Football
Marcus Chan
Fans streaming Premier League football illegally could be hit with a huge fine.
Over the years, the cost of watching football, including the Premier League and Champions League, in the comfort of your own home has skyrocketed.
Different channels such as Sky Sports, TNT Sports, Amazon Prime and DAZN have been battling to win the rights to show some of the sport’s biggest matches.
As a result of these sky-high prices, fans have turned to illegal streams and devices such as IPTV (internet protocol television) as they look to save money.
However, the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) and other UK authorities are beginning to crack down on the illegal streaming of premium content.
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As reported by Birmingham Live, via Manchester Evening News, offenders can be hit with huge fines and even face up to 10 years in prison.
Meanwhile, those who are caught distributing illegal streams have been hit with fines of beyond £50,000.
The report stated: “Viewers who tune into illegal streams might face less severe fines than distributors, but they can still be hit with penalties that often exceed several thousand pounds.”
Alex Hemming, Sports Analyst from Free Bets Ireland said: “The risks associated with illegal streaming of sports in the UK are significant and multifaceted. The potential for hefty fines, criminal prosecution, and personal data compromise makes illegal streaming a risky endeavour.
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“With more legitimate streaming options available than ever, choosing to view sports through official channels is not only the legal choice but the smarter one.”
Last month, a historic court ruling in Spain hinted at what could one day happen in the UK.
A judge at Barcelona's Commercial Court number eight passed a ruling allowing those illegally streaming La Liga matches to be tracked.
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Spanish internet service providers must now hand over details of those who watch La Liga for free, as stated by the court order, which reads: "There are reasonable indications that content, works or services subject to the audiovisual rights of La Liga are being made available or disseminated directly or indirectly without respecting the provisions of the Intellectual Property Law."