Football piracy has reached alarming levels, compromising not only the revenues of leagues and broadcasters, but also the future of the sport as an economic and social engine. This Thursday, the Audiovisual and Digital Communication Regulatory Authority (ARCOM) presented a study in France in collaboration with the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) which has shown the magnitude of the problem in Ligue 1, where 37% of viewers watch matches illegally, rising to 55% in matches such as Olympique de Marseille vs PSG. This case can be extrapolated to other leagues.
Benjamin Morel, outgoing CEO of LFP Média, was blunt in describing the situation: “We are facing a phenomenon of unprecedented magnitude. Piracy is theft and, I remind you, it is illegal.” His words underline the seriousness of a problem that knows no borders and affects all sporting competitions.
A GLOBAL PHENOMENON THAT THREATENS ALL LEAGUES
Ligue 1 is not alone in this battle. In Spain, Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga, has repeatedly denounced the devastating effects of piracy on national football. Tebas has pointed out that “piracy not only harms the clubs, but also the players, sponsors and the fans who value the sport.” According to LaLiga estimates, the economic impact of piracy in Spain exceeds 400 million euros per year, a figure that endangers the sustainability of the sporting model of the second largest football competition in terms of revenue after the Premier League.
This global reality shows that, although streaming platforms such as DAZN or beIN Sports are making significant efforts to offer accessible content, illegal consumption continues to grow, fuelled by technologies such as IPTV and encrypted social networks such as Telegram.
A PROBLEM OF EDUCATION OR LEGAL AWARENESS?
One of the most worrying aspects revealed by the ARCOM study is that 59% of pirate viewers believe they are acting legally. This reflects a significant disconnect between legal rules and public perception, which further hampers efforts to combat this phenomenon.
Tebas stressed the importance of educating fans about the damage piracy causes to sport. ‘Piracy is a lack of respect for those who work in football, from the players to the stadium operators. If we want a strong sport, we need to eliminate this scourge,’ he said recently.
IMPACT ON THE FUTURE OF FOOTBALL
The most immediate impact of piracy is reflected in the loss of value of broadcasting rights, which are the main source of revenue for many leagues. In Ligue 1, 55% of viewers of Olympique Marseille and PSG watched illegally, despite efforts to block pirate domain names before the match.
Combating piracy requires a multi-faceted approach combining advanced technology, robust legislation and awareness campaigns. Morel and Tebas agree that international collaboration will be key to curbing the growth of this problem. ARCOM’s recent operations, while effective in blocking illegal domains, are only part of the solution.
COMPETITIVE PRICING AND EASY ACCESS
In addition, legal platforms must work to improve the user experience by ensuring that prices are competitive and access is easy. The aim is not to justify piracy, but to minimise the reasons consumers may have for opting for illegal channels.
Ultimately, piracy is not just an economic problem, but a threat to the values of sport. Fans who choose to consume illegal content jeopardise the model that sustains competitiveness and entertainment in the leagues.
