Five men have been jailed at Chesterfield Crown Court for illegally streaming Premier League football matches to thousands of people. According to Sky Sports, the gang offered cut-prices as subscriptions for matches to 50,000 people.
They have been convicted of conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, and contempt of court. They generated more than £7m in five years.
Premier League general counsel Kevin Plumb said:
The sentences handed down, which are the longest sentences ever issued for piracy-related crimes, vindicate the efforts made to bring these individuals to justice and reflect the severity and extent of the crimes. This prosecution is another concrete example of the clear links between piracy and wider criminality, a warning we repeatedly make.
While most Premier League fans enjoy watching our games in a safe way, those who were customers of these services were effectively supporting individuals involved in other sinister and dangerous organised crime.The Premier League’s substantial financial contribution to the entire football pyramid is made possible through the ability to sell our broadcast rights. We are pleased that through rulings such as this, the courts continue to show that they recognise the importance of safeguarding the Premier League’s rights. We will continue to protect our rights and our fans by investigating and prosecuting illegal operators at all levels.”
Ringleader Mark Gould, 36, was sentenced to 11 years in prison; Four other members received sentences between three and more than five years.
