Sky will begin 'crackdown' on fans who illegally stream Premier League this weekend

Sky has a plan to troll Premier League fans who illegally stream. Sky, which shares rights to the Premier League alongside TNT Sports, has a hilarious plan for fans looking to illegally stream this weekend's eagerly awaited North London Derby.

Tottenham Hotspur face Arsenal this weekend - and if they illegally stream, then BeStreamWise will have an unwelcome surprise. Those asking around for illegal free streams on X and Reddit will be messaged back by another user with what they think is a link to the match.

But instead they'll be greeted with live footage of a local water stream, along with commentary from a comedian. "Illegal streaming poses a serious threat and can expose consumers to identity theft, fraud, and malicious software," said Matt Hibbert, Group Director of Anti-Piracy at Sky.

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"This campaign protects fans by redirecting them away from malicious streaming sites, highlighting the dangers of clicking unknown links and educating consumers on the risks involved in digital piracy. Through our collaboration with BeStreamWise, we want to ensure that football fans continue to enjoy the sport they love without compromising their personal security."

Miles Rees, Deputy Director of Enforcement at The Intellectual Property Office’s said: "Piracy is anything but a victimless crime. It has clear links to other harmful activities and materials online, actively sustaining serious and organised crime networks while diverting funds away from the sporting occasions we all enjoy."

Kieron Sharp, CEO of FACT added: "We want to ensure that everyone can enjoy the excitement of the Spurs vs Arsenal match safely and legally." Former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas feels this weekend's North London derby is more important for the Gunners than it is for Tottenham.

It comes as Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has signed a new three-year contract with the club. The Spaniard was set to be out of contract at the end of the season but has now committed to a deal until 2027, prior to Sunday's north London derby at Tottenham.