English Football League and Scottish Professional Football League Take Action Against Football TV

The English Football League (EFL) and the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) are taking a strong stance against Football TV, a Russian subscription and streaming service, for broadcasting EFL and Scottish Premiership matches without permission. The leagues stopped broadcasting in Russia in March 2022, following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and have not sold rights packages in the country since.

The EFL and SPFL have launched investigations and are considering legal action against Football TV after discovering that several matches were shown in Russia this season. The affected matches include Cardiff’s 1-1 draw with Wrexham, Watford’s 2-1 win over Southampton, West Ham v Charlton, and West Brom v Burnley. These broadcasts were promoted on Football TV’s Telegram channel, raising concerns that the service may also plan to show illegal content from the Premier League.

Football TV’s Illicit Broadcasts

Football TV, which had a rights contract with the EFL until Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has been showing live coverage of EFL and Scottish Premiership matches. The service has listed these broadcasts as test events, but the leagues are concerned that Football TV may be planning to show illegal content from the Premier League. The EFL and SPFL are seeking to discover the source of the pirated content and are working to ensure that the broadcasts stop.

The EFL and SPFL have declined to comment on the matter, but an SPFL source stated that the league is investigating the issue in conjunction with its broadcasting distribution rights holder, Infront. The EFL and SPFL reserve the right to take legal action against Football TV and whoever is supplying it with access to their matches.

Legal Action Against Football TV

The EFL and SPFL are considering legal action against Football TV for breaching their broadcasting rights. The leagues have not sold rights packages in Russia since the invasion of Ukraine and have been working to prevent the illicit broadcast of their matches. Football TV’s actions are seen as a threat to the integrity of the leagues and may have serious consequences for the service.

The EFL and SPFL are taking a strong stance against Football TV, and it remains to be seen whether the service will continue to broadcast matches without permission. The leagues are committed to protecting their broadcasting rights and will take all necessary steps to prevent the illicit broadcast of their matches.

The EFL and SPFL are working to ensure that the broadcasts stop and are seeking to discover the source of the pirated content. The leagues are committed to protecting their broadcasting rights and will take all necessary steps to prevent the illicit broadcast of their matches.