July 24, 2026, 1:33 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
To watch live soccer today, you often need multiple paid subscriptions. This can quickly add up to significant monthly expenses. As a result, many people turn to websites that offer sports broadcasts for free or at a much lower cost–albeit illegally. However, a recent ruling shows that authorities are now taking decisive action against those responsible for such offerings.
Prison and Heavy Fines
The case centered on the streaming network StreamEast. The Cairo Economic Court sentenced two individuals responsible for copyright violations to two years in prison each. Additionally, the convicted must pay fines totaling 5.5 million Egyptian pounds, which is approximately 96,000 euros. The court also ordered the seizure of assets from the network’s operations. Several internet addresses associated with StreamEast are to be permanently shut down.
Authorities specifically targeted StreamEast for good reason. According to the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), the service distributed its content across more than 120 domains. The network recorded over 1.6 billion visits in total. According to the alliance, it was the world’s largest illegal streaming service for live sports. The offering was much larger than a single website and consisted of an extensive network of various internet addresses.
Largest Network for Illegal Sports Streaming Dismantled
How Recipients of Unsolicited Explicit Photos Can Defend Themselves
Major Raid Brought Down StreamEast
The investigation was conducted jointly by ACE and Egyptian authorities. In August 2025, they took StreamEast offline in a coordinated action. During the operation, they seized computers, mobile phones, network technology, bank cards, and other assets. These items are now to be permanently confiscated. Several domains were also transferred to ACE. Additionally, the court upheld a civil lawsuit by the Egyptian provider Cable Network Egypt. As a result, the convicted must pay a preliminary compensation and cover the legal costs incurred.
ACE views the decision as a clear signal against illegal streaming services. “Today’s ruling sends a strong and unequivocal message: Digital piracy poses a serious threat to creatives and fans in Egypt and elsewhere–and anyone who profits from it must face significant legal consequences,” said Charles Rivkin, chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association and chairman of ACE.
Also of interest: This sick note could lead to immediate dismissal
According to the alliance, the ruling also demonstrates the increasing determination of authorities. The actions are intended to protect the creative industry, consumers, and legal digital marketplaces.
Users Can Also Face Legal Consequences
Not only operators of illegal platforms must face consequences. Customers of such services can also come under judicial scrutiny. This is highlighted by an already legally binding case from Germany.
There, a customer of such a platform received an eight-month suspended prison sentence. However, the penalty was based on special circumstances and is therefore only partially comparable to cases of ordinary viewers. Nevertheless, the case shows that not only operators but also users of illegal platforms must fear legal consequences.