Premier League fans sent £50k fine warning as the illegal football streaming hotspots revealed
by Jake Stokes, Jamie Brassington · football.londonLondon has not been named as a hotspot for illegal football streaming, while Birmingham and Wolverhampton have both featured in the top 10 list. The data, compiled by Footy Accumulators, analysed the number of internet searches related to illegal streaming across 30 of the UK's most populated areas, revealing an average search volume per capita of 100,000 people.
Birmingham ranked third, with 250.4 illegal football streaming searches per 100,000 people, earning the city a score of 8.7 out of 10. Wolverhampton followed closely in fifth place, with 229.1 illegal football streaming searches per 100,000 people, giving it a score of 8 out of 10.
Manchester topped the list overall, with Newcastle and Liverpool taking second and fourth places respectively. This comes after football fans were warned earlier this year about a crackdown on illegal streaming.
Top 10 locations for illegal searches
| Rank | Location | Illegal football streaming searches per 100,000 capita | Score /10 |
| 1. | Manchester | 286.7 | 10 |
| 2. | Newcastle upon Tyne | 269.6 | 9.4 |
| 3. | Birmingham | 250.4 | 8.7 |
| 4. | Liverpool | 245.1 | 8.5 |
| 5. | Wolverhampton | 229.1 | 8 |
| 6. | Leeds | 218.5 | 7.7 |
| 7. | Bolton | 217.4 | 7.6 |
| 8. | Bournemouth | 216.3 | 7.5 |
| 9. | Plymouth | 211.4 | 7.4 |
| 10. | Norwich | 178.7 | 6.2 |
Football fanatics who stream games illegally using Amazon Fire TV Stick devices have been hit with a warning that fines up to £50,000 could be on the way, with home raids seen as 'inevitable'. This tough stance is part of a clampdown by the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) and other UK bodies aiming to combat illegal streaming.
Sports analyst Alex Hemming from Free Bets Ireland has flagged the seriousness of the situation. As quoted by Birmingham Live, he said: "The risks associated with illegal streaming of sports in the UK are significant and multifaceted.
"The potential for hefty fines, criminal prosecution, and personal data compromise makes illegal streaming a risky endeavour. With more legitimate streaming options available than ever, choosing to view sports through official channels is not only the legal choice but the smarter one."
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