Man jailed for selling online access to TV football

Scores of illegal Premier League streams were offered

A man has been jailed after raking in tens of thousands of pounds selling unlawful subscriptions to watch football matches online.

As well as his 12-month sentence, Paul Merrell, 42, must pay back £91,243 after a confiscation order was secured against him at Birmingham Crown Court.

A hearing on Friday was told he had derived substantial income from illegal Premier League streams under the banner of "Media Maverick".

His operation made use of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) technology which allows programmes and movies to be distributed via broadband. But illicit pre-loaded boxes have come on to the black market, prompting a major crackdown by authorities.

Merrell, from Sutton Coldfield in Birmingham, was convicted of copyright crimes committed between 2017 and 2021.

It followed a joint investigation by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (Fact) and Birmingham City Council’s trading standards department.

For a fee, Merrell's customers were provided with online access to stream premium television content including Premier League matches.

The court heard Merrell also acted as a reseller for infamous TV fraud gang "Flawless".

Five of its ringleaders were jailed in May last year for running an operation that received more than £7m from 50,000 subscribers.

The Flawless on-screen menu, showing content made available unlawfully

Fact CEO Kieron Sharp said Merrell's conviction sent a clear message to those who ilegally sold TV content.

"We remain committed to protecting the rights of our partners in the audio-visual and sports industries and we will seek out and prosecute individuals involved in such criminality," he said.

Tony Quigley, head of trading standards at Birmingham City Council, added: “Anyone who thinks they can get away with illegal streaming of subscription channels or pay-per-view events should take heed – next time it could be you facing a prison sentence and a hefty fine.”

The Premier League pays Fact to investigate and enforce its copyright over football content.

Kevin Plumb, the league's general counsel, previously said it would continue to chase illegal streaming operators.

"The Premier League's substantial financial contribution to the entire football pyramid is made possible through the ability to sell our broadcast rights," he said.