Neil Doncaster welcomes SPFL 'illegal streaming' crackdown as Police Scotland make arrest

An arrest has been made following a search on a property in Easterhouse.

Neil Doncaster has welcomed the arrest of a man accused of streaming SPFL matches illegally.

Police Scotland arrested a 49-year-old man in connected with the illegal streaming, charging him under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

And the SPFL chief has spoken out in support of the crackdown.

Police carried out a search of a property in Easterhouse after obtaining a warrant.

A report has since been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Following the news, Doncaster said: “We welcome the action taken by Police Scotland, and are hugely supportive of their efforts to tackle illegal streaming. “We’ve just seen the conclusion of another thrilling season, and as we look ahead to the 2022/23 campaign it’s important that we do everything we can to protect customers who invest in legitimate subscriptions and support the major investment which Sky, our broadcast partners, are putting into the game.”

Detective Inspector Andy MacLean added: “This operation is an excellent example of how partnership working can tackle criminals conducting intellectual property crime. “This type of crime is taken seriously and one man has been arrested today. “Together with our partners, we’re determined to crack down on those who are involved in defrauding the television, film and sport industry, and bring them to justice.”

Next season's SPFL Scottish Premiership, Championship, League One and League Two fixtures will be announced on Friday, 17 June at 9am.