'Dodgy' Fire stick crackdown as fans watching Premier League games handed new warning

The Premier League and its partners are intensifying their fight against illegal streaming, with a new focus on 'dodgy' Fire TV sticks that have become increasingly popular

The Premier League and UK authorities are gearing up for another crackdown on so-called 'dodgy' Fire TV sticks. A growing number of football fans across the UK have been turning to illegal streaming devices as a cheaper alternative to official providers, offering more choice in live action viewing.

While Sky Sports, TNT Sport and Amazon Prime are broadcasting Premier League matches this season, it's an expensive endeavour for fans wanting to catch all the action, especially with Saturday's traditional 3pm kickoffs not being shown due to the UK's 'blackout rule'. The team at FACT has issued a stern warning to those using illicit streaming devices, stating they "risk facing serious consequences".

This alert comes after a widespread crackdown recently took place across the UK. Over a two-week period, more than 30 suppliers of pre-loaded Fire TV Sticks were targeted, with more expected to follow.

Suppliers have been warned to cease selling these devices immediately or face further action. A 42 year old man from Newport was also arrested and a variety of television-watching gadgets seized for forensic examination.

FACT has also confirmed a number of takedown requests to social media platforms and online marketplaces, in hopes of further disrupting illegal IPTV activity, reports the Mirror.

Courts are cracking down with tougher penalties, especially for those ignoring warnings. Last month saw a landmark private prosecution by the Premier League, which led to Jonathan Edge, a 29 year old from Liverpool, being sentenced to three years in prison for selling and using illegal Firesticks.

Kieron Sharp, CEO of FACT, warned: "Our cease-and-desist measures are not just warnings-they are the first step toward holding offenders accountable. Many who ignored these notices in the past are now facing arrest and criminal charges. We strongly advise anyone involved in these activities to stop immediately."

"If you're supplying or using illicit streaming devices or illegal IPTV subscriptions, take this as a clear warning: you are breaking the law and risk facing serious consequences."

"We will continue working with police to track down and shut down these illegal operations. The police across the UK have been unstinting in their efforts to tackle this criminality and we are grateful for their assistance."

"To those using illegal streaming services, the message is that you're not just committing a crime; you are putting yourself at risk. These services often expose users to malware, scams, and data theft, with no recourse when things go wrong. The safest, smartest and only choice is to stick to legitimate providers for your entertainment."

The Premier League is currently considering the future of the traditional 3pm blackout rule, with discussions underway about the possibility of scrapping it. However, any major changes could be hard to implement before the end of the current Premier League TV deal in the UK, which has been agreed until 2023 with Sky and TNT Sports.

This lucrative agreement will see the league earn £6.7 billion over four years for its UK television rights and runs from the 2025-26 season for four years. The Premier League maintains that Article 48 is important to "protect attendances throughout the English football pyramid".

In the shadow of these discussions, 'dodgy' Fire TV Sticks are gaining traction amongst viewers. These devices offer a cheap means of accessing premium content without hefty subscription costs.

Often coming pre-loaded with illicit movie and sports streams, users can watch this material for a modest monthly or annual fee. Though enticing, this method comes with strong caveats: it's not just legal repercussions – which are unlikely to lead to prosecution or jail – but also the risks of malware and exposure to inappropriate content for young viewers that should make consumers think twice.