Football fans and sports betting enthusiasts have been handed a stark warning about illegal streaming, following the arrest of four individuals in Manchester, England. This incident has brought to light the increasing issue of illegal Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) operations.
In recent years, football fans have seen a significant rise in the cost of watching their favourite sport on TV. With supporters spending thousands on various channels to tune into the action, some have turned to cheaper alternatives - namely illegal IPTV streaming services.
These services are often loaded onto 'dodgy' Fire TV Sticks, enabling users to illegally stream content from channels both in the UK and abroad without paying for them. However, these actions come with severe legal consequences.
Matt Hibbert, Group Director of Anti-Privacy at Sky, said:
“We take the protection of our content extremely seriously, given the significant investment we make and will continue to work with the police and industry partners to disrupt the criminal networks behind piracy.’’
Legal consequences
In 2025 alone, an estimated 6.2 million British people accessed illegally streamed TV according to the Intellectual Property Office. The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) warns that these individuals could be prosecuted for criminal offences under Section 11 of the Fraud Act 2006. On February 2nd this year, City of London Police’s Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) confirmed their collaboration with partners in the TV industry to combat this growing problem. Last week's arrests were made after Sky alerted authorities about suspicious activity linked to illicit streaming. Investigators found that this operation was serving millions of users across Britain and had reportedly generated £3 million in revenue from its activities.
During a raid conducted by PIPCU officers in Manchester last week, ten servers and associated equipment worth around £750k were seized - each item valued at approximately £75k individually. The force's press release confirmed these details while also highlighting their ongoing commitment towards combating such illegal activities which not only violate copyright laws but also pose significant risks for consumers.
This incident serves as a stark reminder to football fans and sports betting enthusiasts about the risks associated with illegal streaming. While the rising costs of watching sports may be a concern, turning to illegal IPTV services is not only unlawful but could also lead to severe legal repercussions. As authorities continue their efforts to combat these operations, it's crucial for consumers to stay informed and make lawful choices when it comes to accessing their favourite sports content.
