5 Men Jailed for Illegally Streaming Premier League Matches

Five people who participated in the unlawful broadcasting of Premier League football games to a large audience have received prison sentences.

The group sold reduced monthly memberships for £10 ($12), promising access to games not accessible on conventional UK broadcasting owing to blackout laws. Their largest operation has generated over £7 million ($8.6 million) from 50,000 members, the BBC reported.

To protect its priceless material, the Premier League took the rare step of launching a private prosecution. The trial emphasized safeguarding "some of the most valuable content in the world." The case came after a trade standards investigation under Hammersmith and Fulham Council's direction.

The gang's "prime mover," Mark Gould, was sentenced to an 11-year jail term at Derby Crown Court. The sentences for the remaining four gang members ranged from three to over five years.

One of the gang members, Christopher Felvus, was also found guilty of voyeurism and possession of obscene photographs of minors on his computer, in addition to their illegal streaming business.

The gang created a system that could stream content from stations in the United Kingdom, Qatar, the United States, Australia, and Canada, among other nations. They broadcast matches instantly via Flawless, according to BNN.

Additionally, they developed applications for smart TVs and smartphones that let consumers choose their preferred material from a comprehensive on-screen program guide.

Subscribers Might Face Charges

Investigators now have access to the personal data of anyone who subscribed to the gang's streaming service, Flawless TV, as a consequence of the inquiry into the illegal Premier League streaming. The measure raises the issue of possible legal action against the subscribers.

Authorities launched a raid on 1,000 houses earlier this year to stop unlawful Premier League streaming and the use of modified gadgets like "fire sticks," Fan Banter reported. The West Mercia Police Department officers visited the residents and informed them of potential criminal charges.