UEFA reinforces anti-piracy commitment
UEFA has reaffirmed its strong commitment to fighting sports piracy, emphasizing that illegal streaming poses a major threat to the financial sustainability of European football. In a new statement, UEFA highlighted that broadcasters, sponsors, and clubs rely heavily on revenue from media rights, which are undermined when fans access matches through unauthorized platforms.
The organization outlined ongoing efforts to combat piracy, including partnerships with specialized anti-piracy companies, enhanced monitoring systems, rapid takedown procedures, and legal action against distributors and operators of illegal streaming services. UEFA noted recent successes in disrupting large-scale piracy networks, particularly those providing access to premium football content across Europe and beyond.
UEFA also stressed the importance of collaboration between rights holders, governments, law enforcement, and digital platforms to improve enforcement and close legal loopholes. The governing body urged policymakers to strengthen legislation and support faster cross-border enforcement to address increasingly sophisticated piracy operations.
UEFA warned that continued piracy could damage investment in clubs, youth development, grassroots football, and overall competition quality. It reaffirmed that protecting media rights is essential for the long-term health of European football.
