EFL and Scottish league pushing to stop illegal broadcast of matches in Russia

In March 2022, the English Football League (EFL) and Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) ceased broadcasting their matches in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. This led to Football TV, a Russian subscription and streaming service, airing numerous games from the EFL's opening two rounds and Scottish Premiership matches featuring teams like Celtic, Rangers, and Hearts.

The EFL and SPFL, which had not sold rights packages in Russia since March 2022, now face the challenge of identifying and potentially stopping illegal broadcasts of their matches on the platform. They have launched investigations and are considering legal action against Football TV, which aired games such as Cardiff's 1-1 draw with Wrexham and Watford's 2-1 win over Southampton in Russia.

The EFL also suspects Football TV may plan to show live content from the Premier League, including matches like West Ham v Charlton and West Brom v Burnley, which were listed as test events. Both leagues are determined to ensure the broadcasts cease and are working to uncover the source of the pirated content.