The rise of online streaming has transformed the way fans watch sport.
Across football, supporters now rely on digital platforms to follow matches from anywhere in the world.
But alongside the growth of legitimate streaming services, another industry has quietly expanded behind the scenes.
Illegal sports streaming websites have become a major concern for broadcasters and governing bodies.
Authorities across multiple countries have increasingly stepped up efforts to tackle these networks.
Investigations have often focused on websites that allow fans to watch major competitions, without paying for official broadcast subscriptions.
Some of these platforms have attracted enormous global audiences.
One of the most well-known names in the illegal streaming world has long been a website that offered free access to major sporting events, including top European football leagues and international competitions.
According to The Athletic, prosecutors have now moved forward with a criminal case against two men, linked to the Streameast network.
From Egypt, they were accused of operating a large-scale illegal sports streaming operation.
Authorities allege the suspects ran a network of more than 120 domains that provided free access to major sporting broadcasts, attracting huge traffic from across the world.
The majority of visits came from North America and the United Kingdom.
Investigators say the network generated significant revenue through advertising and other financial channels, with reports suggesting the operation brought in millions of pounds while drawing around 1.6 billion visits annually.
The men now face charges including copyright infringement and money laundering.
Prosecutors claim the operation functioned as a transnational criminal organisation specialising in illegal sports broadcasts.
The case represents one of the most high-profile attempts yet to dismantle large-scale online sports piracy.
With the trial now moving forward, authorities hope it will send a strong message to those operating similar platforms around the world.
However, it also asks the age-old question; are broadcasting networks charging too much to watch football?
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