A man who led a large-scale illegal football streaming network has been handed an 11-year prison sentence at Derby Crown Court, in connection with a criminal enterprise that illegally provided Premier League broadcasts to thousands of customers. The ringleader, identified as Mark Gould, was also ordered to surrender £2.35million as the proceeds of the offence, and judges made clear that failure to pay that sum within three months will trigger a further 10-year prison term.

Gould’s operation, which ran services under names including Flawless, Shared VPS, Optimal and Cosmic, is understood to have generated more than £7million from around 50,000 subscribers over a five-year period before law enforcement intervened. Across its lifespan, around 30 people were believed to be involved in various roles within the network.

The illegal streaming service allowed customers to access live broadcasts of Premier League matches without paying for legitimate subscriptions, constituting widespread infringement of copyright and broadcasting rights. Prosecutors argued that the network’s scale and sophistication demonstrated a deliberate effort to profit from unlawful activity, in what has been described as one of the most extensive piracy operations targeting UK football content in recent years.

During the sentencing hearing, the judge imposed the confiscation order which, in total across all five defendants involved in the case, amounts to £3.75million. The warning that Gould could face a further decade in prison highlights the seriousness with which the court viewed the financial aspects of the offending.

Four other men who were part of the wider streaming network have also been ordered to repay a combined £1.4million, with similar admonitions that they too may face additional custodial time should they fail to satisfy their repayment obligations. The total confiscation order is among the largest ever issued by UK courts in relation to illegal streaming.

Legal experts have noted that in pursuing both long prison sentences and significant financial penalties, UK authorities are seeking to deter similar operations that undermine intellectual property rights and deprive content owners of legitimate revenue. Broadcasters and rights holders have welcomed the sentence, viewing it as a strong message to others involved in illicit streaming.

Supporters of tougher action argue that the illegal streaming market, particularly when it operates on a commercial scale and profits from major sports rights, damages the industries that invest in and promote live sport. Detractors of harsh sentences, however, have questioned whether serious custodial terms are proportionate to non-violent economic crime, prompting discussion about sentencing guidelines and the balance between punishment and rehabilitation.

For now, Gould remains in prison, and the three-month deadline to repay the £2.35million looms. Should he fail to meet that obligation, his custodial sentence will extend to at least 21 years, underscoring the substantial consequences of involvement in large-scale piracy.