Over recent years, amid the influx in costs of subscription services for football fans to watch their favourite teams or events, a similar rise has been seen in the use of Amazon Fire Sticks, or, as they are commonly called ‘dodgy boxes’.
Frustrated with the rising prices set by sports broadcasters, fans have turned to Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services to stream sporting events illegally, despite the potential repercussions with the law.
The Federation Against Copyright Theft (Fact) are working with broadcasters akin to Sky Sports and TNT Sports to crack down on jailbroken Fire Stick usage for streaming Premier League matches, with reports emerging last month that a full list of UK areas being targeted in the latest fire stick crackdown included London and Merseyside, seeing one Liverpool man given a three-year prison sentence for selling the devices and services.
As Amazon manufacturers makes moves to clamp down on Fire Sticks by making changes to new models in order to prevent their devices being used illegally, the consequences remain severe for users or suppliers of illegal IPTV subscriptions.
Hundreds of thousands of British sports fans are said to use the ‘dodgy Fire Sticks’ and the associated illegal services to stream sporting events, mainly Premier League matches, but more specifically the 3pm fixtures, which are prohibited from live broadcasting due to the blackout rule.
Despite countless warnings of imprisonment and police raids on those supplying the services, fans are still opting to utilise the illegal streams over the official broadcasters, but run the risk of violating section 11 of the Fraud Act, 2006.
According to UK Government Legislation, section of the 2006 Fraud Act stipulates that: “Section 11 makes it an offence for any person, by any dishonest act, to obtain services for which payment is required, with the intent to avoid payment.
“The person must know that the services are made available on the basis that they are chargeable, or that they might be. It is not possible to commit the offence by omission alone, and it can be committed only where the dishonest act was done with the intent not to pay for the services as expected.”
Therefore, obtaining the broadcaster’s services, which require subscription payment via the jailbroken Fire Sticks, contravenes this, and can lead to between one and five years’ imprisonment depending on the severity of the offence.
In light of the aforementioned Liverpool man, Jonathan Edge, who was sentenced last year for selling the devices after ignoring multiple cease-and-desist letters, FACT are continuing their crackdown on illegal streaming activity. A FACT UK spokesperson told LADbible:
“FACT’s enforcement activities against illegal streaming are ongoing throughout the year.
“Together with our partners and the police, we constantly review new intelligence and target those areas of the UK and Ireland where the data shows that illegal streaming activity is taking place.
“Our investigations are thorough, and we are relentless in our determination to stop illegal streaming and bring offenders to justice. To avoid jeopardising operations that are in progress, we do not share details publicly until enforcement action has been completed.”
With Amazon and the authorities both working to negate those using Fire Sticks for the illegal streaming services, and the increased crackdowns around the country, ‘dodgy boxes’ could soon become a thing of the past.
However, many Premier League supporters who have opted for illicit services amid their frustrations with the 3pm blackout rule, argue that fans would not turn to illegal methods if they could watch their beloved team in action no matter the kick-off time.
Pop superstar Taylor Swift married NFL superstar Travis Kelce at a highly-secretive celebration in New York on Friday night.
Both Swift and Kelce went to great lengths to try and maintain a sense of privacy around the occasion, with guests even required to sign non-disclosure agreements before any details of the day could be shared with them.
The couple even individually watermarked every invitation with the guest’s name, meaning that they would easily be able to identify who was at fault if a copy of the invite was to leak to the media.
The pair, who began dating in the summer of 2023, exchanged nuptials at the city’s iconic Madison Square Garden in front of a star-studded congregation of guests.
Among those who are believed to have attended the ceremony were Jay-Z, Steven Spielberg and Bradley Cooper. That trio joined confirmed guests such as Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Graham Norton and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
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According to a source for the Daily Mail, all of the above were left stunned when Swift’s close pal, Lena Dunham, took to the microphone and made a controversial joke about Kelce’s NFL career.
Three-time Superbowl winner Kelce has enjoyed a highly-successful run in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs. In addition to his Super Bowl triumphs, he is an 11-time Pro Bowler and a seven-time All-Pro. The 36-year-old is widely considered to be one of the best tight ends in the history of the game.
However, those accolades apparently didn’t impress Dunham all that much as she laid into the groom’s profession in savage fashion, declaring:
“American football is just straight guys reenacting gay porn.”
The comment reportedly ‘drew gasps’ from those in attendance, although Swift seemed to really enjoy the swipe. As Dunham left the stage, Taylor apparently hailed her pal as “a genius” following her speech.
Swift and Dunham have been friends for years, with Taylor even serving as a bridesmaid at the actress and director’s own wedding in 2021. No information has yet emerged on Travis’ reaction to the line.
Although Kelce is now entering the final stages of his NFL career, he re-signed with the Chiefs back in March, ultimately agreeing to a three-year deal worth a reported $54.7 million.
With Dunham’s NFL jibe becoming one of the few pieces of information to leak from the wedding, Kelce will likely be reminded of the comment on multiple occasions once the new season gets underway in September.
Arsenal have agreed a £17m deal with Besiktas to sell winger Leandro Trossard, according to The Athletic.
The Gunners claimed their first Premier League title in 22 years by finishing seven points above Manchester City, while they also reached the Carabao Cup and Champions League finals.
Manchester United could sign a Premier League alternative to Mateus Fernandes after missing out on the Portuguese midfielder. The Red Devils are keen to find a replacement for Casemiro this summer, with two midfield signings desired in total, including the early-season signing of Ederson.
It has been a frustrating search from Michael Carrick and Co so far, with Tottenham beating them to West Ham star Fernandes, agreeing to pay £85million. United were said to be willing to pay a similar fee, but Spurs were willing to pay upfront and without any major add-ons, something the Red Devils were not willing to do.
That means the search goes on, and it appears United are not close to securing an alternative at this stage, even if there is a likely candidate.
According to the Daily Mail, United are not close to finding an alternative to Fernandes, now set to reassess their options after missing out. But it’s added the Red Devils are ‘known admirers’ of AFC Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, and they could turn to the England international.
Scott was a vital part of Bournemouth’s superb season of last that saw them qualify for the Europa League, and he almost won a World Cup call-up, serving as the main back-up during the pre-tournament training camp.
Scott is a very different midfielder from Casemiro, and while he is more similar to Fernandes, he arguably has a more attacking frame of mind. From that perspective, it would be a little surprising the Red Devils to go in that route, but Scott is a hard-working midfielder who can also do the dirty work.
Still only 22 years of age, the Cherries are said to be demanding £80million to sell Scott this summer, so it wouldn’t be much of a cheaper compromise from Fernandes for United.
Scott was praised repeatedly last season, and Match of the Day pundit Micah Richards said: “I love him. He’s got everything that a midfielder should have playing in the Premier League. I love his game. He takes a good set-piece but it’s his calmness on the ball. He can pass well and receive the ball between the lines.
“A lot of midfielders hide and don’t want the ball but he’s brave on it. He keeps it moving. Every time I watch him, he’s so confident on the ball.”
Alan Shearer added: “He’s having a brilliant season and standing out in every game. Superb.”
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