Premier League Urges Fans In Malaysia To Boot Out Piracy

The Premier League has rolled out the latest phase of its Boot Out Piracy campaign in Malaysia, partnering with local broadcaster Astro to warn supporters about the major cybersecurity threats tied to illegal streaming.

Fronted by top-flight stars including Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo and Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, the campaign features videos outlining the real-world dangers of pirate streams, such as phishing scams, malware infections, identity theft and financial fraud.

Independent research by cybersecurity expert Professor Paul Watters underscores the scale of the risk faced by users of illegal services. Key findings include:
- Piracy websites are, on average, 17.3 times riskier than mainstream sites.
- 66% of assessed sites pose significant or critical cyber risk.
- 54% were flagged for suspicious activity linked to scams, phishing or malicious behaviour.
- 44% exposed users to harmful advertising and scam pathways, creating openings for cybercriminals.

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."

Authorities are increasingly targeting both individual pirate sites and the infrastructure that enables illegal streaming. In Malaysia, charges were filed in April 2026 against the alleged operators of MYIPTV4K — Leong Chin Wang, Hoo Sheau Lew and Alula Marketing Sdn Bhd — for providing unauthorised access to copyrighted broadcast content. Separately, in 2025, a Johor homestay operator reached a financial settlement with Astro after using unauthorised streaming devices at rental properties.

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."