The English Football League and the Scottish Professional Football League have opened investigations into the unauthorized broadcast of their matches in Russia, with both organizations weighing potential legal action against those responsible.
The issue came to light after it emerged that Football TV, a Russian streaming and subscription platform, had aired several fixtures from the opening two rounds of the EFL season, alongside Scottish Premiership games involving Celtic, Rangers and Hearts. Since neither league has sold broadcasting rights in Russia since March 2022, when coverage was halted in response to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine the previous month, the footage appears to have been sourced and transmitted without permission.
Before the suspension, the EFL had held a broadcasting agreement with Football TV, while the Scottish Premiership had been shown on Match TV. The Premier League, whose rights in Russia were held by Okko Sport, also ceased broadcasts there at the same time.
The EFL first reached out to Football TV last week after being informed that a number of matches had appeared on the platform, including Cardiff City's 1-1 draw with Wrexham and Watford's 2-1 victory over Southampton. Despite this initial contact, Football TV proceeded to broadcast further fixtures over the weekend, showing West Ham United's game against Charlton Athletic and West Bromwich Albion's match with Burnley.
Notably, those two fixtures were categorized as