Prosecutions are expected as the EFL clamps down on pirate streams showing Nottingham Forest matches.
Forest are showing most games Championship and cup games this season live on its own website for a £10 charge, with others broadcast on Sky Sports, and it is proving a crucial revenue stream at a time when there are no gate receipts.
But other websites are showing the action illegally – and the EFL is getting ready to take on the offenders in court after the issue was discussed at last week’s board meeting.
Stoke City chief executive Tony Scholes told StokeonTrentLive: “Thankfully people are able to watch matches over streams. It’s not the same and no one is going to say it is but at the moment it’s the best alternative.
“But it was discussed widely at the EFL meeting about the amount of piracy there is, where websites are putting on the games illegally.
“That damages the football club. The income from official streams does goes directly to the football clubs so anyone who is using pirate sites, clearly that’s diverting money away from clubs at a time when we have no other income.”
He added: “The EFL is clamping down on that and people will be prosecuted.”
