The Premier League and Vietnamese broadcaster K+ have intensified their joint campaign, “Boot Out Piracy,” aiming to raise public awareness about intellectual property protection and online safety among football fans in Vietnam. Now in its fifth year, the campaign delivers a clear message: illegal streaming of football matches is not only a copyright violation but also a serious cybersecurity risk.
Despite repeated warnings, many fans continue to access illegal streaming websites or use illicit streaming devices (ISDs) because they are free. But according to cybersecurity expert Professor Paul Watters, around 72% of illegal streaming sites contain malware or spyware, while 95% of their advertisements involve scams, gambling, or adult content. These platforms can expose users to identity theft, data loss, and financial fraud.
Even more concerning, ISDs may be exploited as nodes in global cybercrime networks, making unsuspecting users part of coordinated hacking or fraud schemes. Beyond personal risks, piracy undermines the legitimate content ecosystem, causing significant financial losses for broadcasters and creators.
Kevin Plumb, General Counsel of the Premier League, said: “Piracy doesn’t just break copyright law — it damages the entire sports value chain. Quality content cannot be free in an illegal way.”
Vietnam has already set a legal precedent against online piracy. In April 2024, the Hanoi People’s Court sentenced a BestBuy IPTV representative to a 30-month suspended jail term, fined them US$4,000, confiscated US$24,000 in profits, and ordered US$12,000 in compensation — the country’s first criminal case for illegal streaming.
Across Southeast Asia, the Premier League has worked with local authorities to block more than 25,000 pirate websites and apps over six years, including 7,000 domains in Vietnam.
Axel Gallant, CEO of K+, emphasized: “Football stands for fairness and passion. Watching pirated content disrespects the hard work of millions of people in the creative industry.”
The 2025 campaign runs across Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Hong Kong, featuring famous players and coordinated technical and legal enforcement. Through these efforts, the Premier League and K+ aim to build a safer, more responsible digital environment, reminding fans that every legitimate click helps protect creativity — and themselves.
