THE latest edition of the Premier League’s Boot Out Piracy campaign is launching in Malaysia to raise awareness among football fans about the significant cybersecurity risks associated with illegal streaming services.
Launched in collaboration with local broadcast partner Astro, the campaign is fronted by Premier League players including Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo and Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze.
They star in videos explaining the real-world dangers of illegal streaming, from phishing scams and malware to identity theft and financial fraud.
Although piracy is often seen mainly as a copyright issue, new independent research conducted by cybersecurity expert Professor Paul Watters highlights the significant risks consumers face when using illegal streaming services. The study found:
Piracy websites are, on average, 17.3 times riskier than mainstream websites.
- 66% of sites assessed are classified as presenting significant or critical cyber risk.
- More than half (54%) were flagged for suspicious activity associated with scams, phishing or malicious behaviour.
- Nearly half of piracy websites (44%) exposed users to harmful advertising and scam pathways, creating opportunities for cybercriminals to target consumers.
The findings reinforce that illegal streaming services are commonly operated by organised cybercriminal networks, and that using pirate services can expose consumers to serious real-world harms, including fraud, identity theft, account compromise and malware infections.
Premier League Director of Legal – Enforcement, Stefan Sergot said: “Illegal streaming may seem like a free and harmless way to watch football, but research increasingly shows that pirate services expose users to a range of dangers, including fraud, identity theft, malware and other online threats.
“Through Boot Out Piracy, we want to help fans understand those risks and encourage them to enjoy Premier League football safely, in the best quality, through legitimate services.
“We will continue working with our broadcast partners, social media platforms and enforcement authorities to tackle illegal streaming services, while ensuring fans understand what can sit behind pirate streams.”
The campaign comes as law enforcement increasingly targets not only individual pirate websites, but the networks and services that enable illegal streaming.
In Malaysia, recent enforcement action includes the charges laid in April 2026 against the alleged operators of MYIPTV4K, Leong Chin Wang, Hoo Sheau Lew and Alula Marketing Sdn Bhd, which provided unauthorised access to copyrighted broadcast content.
Separately, in 2025, a Johor homestay operator reached a financial settlement with Astro after using unauthorised streaming devices to broadcast its content at rental properties.
Together, these cases demonstrate Malaysia’s continued efforts to tackle the commercial distribution and use of illegal streaming services.
Astro Chief Regulatory & Corporate Affairs Officer, Laila Saat said: “Premier League football has a strong following in Malaysia, and we want fans to continue enjoying it through a safe, trusted and high-quality viewing experience.
“Illegal streaming may seem convenient, but it can expose users to scams, malware, identity theft and other online risks. Astro will continue working closely with the Premier League, enforcement authorities and industry partners to raise awareness, combat piracy and protect both our customers and the value of the content they enjoy.
“Choosing legitimate ways to watch also helps protect the value of the game and the people who bring it to fans week after week. Together with the Premier League and our partners, we remain committed to tackling piracy and ensuring Malaysian fans can continue to enjoy the very best of Premier League football.”
The Boot Out Piracy campaign will be showcased across broadcast channels and social media platforms in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam in the upcoming months, supported by the Premier League’s broadcast partners, authorities and other stakeholders.
The campaign forms part of the Premier League’s wider activity to combat piracy, which has been running for 20 years and helps supporters around the world enjoy Premier League football through legitimate channels.