'It’s the same as searching for cocaine or child sex’ — LaLiga president rants about illegal streaming
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LaLiga president Javier Tebas

'It’s the same as searching for cocaine or child sex’ — LaLiga president rants about illegal streaming

Ayoola Kelechi 13:55 - 06.04.2024

LaLiga president Javier Tebas has drawn criticism for making an outrageous comparison while urging for stricter measures to combat illegal streaming

Javier Tebas, the president of Spain's top-flight football league, LaLiga, has launched a scathing attack on the rise of illegal streaming, comparing it to searching for cocaine or child sex online.

Tebas made these comments during the Intellectual Property Summit in Miami, where he criticised the lack of punishment for those involved in football piracy.

Tebas compares seriousness of crimes

Tebas highlighted the alarming prevalence of illegal streams, stating that they are more readily available online than even illicit activities like buying drugs or searching for child pornography. He expressed frustration over the ease with which individuals can access illegal football streams compared to the difficulty of finding other illegal content online.

Speaking on the topic, Tebas said, "If you go to Google and type in 'I want to buy cocaine' or 'child sex,' nothing appears. But if you type in 'free football,' it appears... One is considered a serious crime, but the other is not, and it's the same thing."

Rise of football piracy

Tebas criticised platforms like Telegram, Discord, and Meta (formerly Facebook) for not doing enough to prevent the dissemination of illegal content on their platforms, and emphasised the need for stricter penalties and enforcement measures to combat the spread of illegal streaming.

"In Spain, they were going to ban Telegram for piracy; in the end, the judge who was willing to do it backed down," Tebas lamented. "They and Discord are giving a lot of information on how you can get this content."

LaLiga's Perspective

Despite the focus on football piracy, Tebas and LaLiga are also preparing for significant developments in the football world. They are reportedly gearing up for the arrival of Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid. Tebas expressed confidence that Mbappe's transfer to Real Madrid, which has been a long-term pursuit, has a high likelihood of success. He hailed Mbappe as one of the best players in the world and highlighted the positive impact his signing would have on Spanish football.

Tebas praised Real Madrid for their prudent financial management, noting that they have prepared for Mbappe's signing without needing to sell any players. He emphasized the financial strength of the club and their ability to make significant investments in top players like Mbappe. Tebas's comments underscore the anticipation surrounding Mbappe's potential move to Real Madrid and the club's ambitious plans for the future.

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