The Premier League has commended the Vietnamese authorities and law enforcement agencies following the prison sentences handed down in the Bun Cha TV football piracy case, welcoming the outcome as a strong deterrent to those who operate and profit from illegal streaming.
The People’s Court of Bắc Ninh City on 27 October 2026 convicted 14 individuals of copyright and related rights infringement for their involvement in Bun Cha TV, an illegal streaming service that provided unauthorised access to Premier League matches and other sports content.
Of those convicted, 11 defendants received immediate custodial sentences, totalling nine-and-a-half years, while three received 10-month suspended sentences each, totalling two-and-a-half years, with 12-month probation periods. This is understood to be the largest-ever criminal copyright case determined in Vietnam and the first immediate custodial sentences for copyright infringement in the country.
Premier League Director of Legal – Enforcement, Stefan Sergot, said: “We welcome these important convictions, which clearly demonstrate that those involved in the illegal distribution of Premier League content can face serious criminal consequences. The custodial sentences and fines imposed in this case send a strong deterrent message to those who operate and profit from illegal streaming services.
Bun Cha TV’s promotion of illegal gambling alongside an unauthorised streaming service also highlights the wider criminality that can sit behind pirate services. Tackling these networks is essential to protecting Premier League content and helping keep consumers safe from the risks associated with piracy including malware, scams and the compromise of personal data.“
“We commend the Vietnamese authorities and law enforcement agencies for their action against Bun Cha TV and will continue working with our partners and authorities to identify and disrupt piracy operations and bring those responsible to justice.”
All 14 defendants were also fined, with supplementary fines totalling VND 345 million. The court also ordered the confiscation of equipment used in the offences and illicit profits obtained from the operation. The judgment is subject to appeal within 15 days from 27 October 2026.
Bun Cha TV operated as a coordinated digital enterprise, with dedicated functions spanning programming, website operations, content, commentary, advertising, search engine optimisation (SEO) and accounting. The operation generated revenue primarily through advertising and by directing users to illegal online gambling sites. The 14 individuals were found to have obtained total illicit profits of VND 2,406,368,955 (approximately £70,000) through the operation.
The convictions build on Vietnam’s first criminal sentence for online copyright infringement in the BestBuy IPTV case in 2024 and reinforce the growing consequences for those involved in illegal streaming operations.
The Premier League takes a comprehensive approach to combating piracy, working with law enforcement agencies, broadcast partners and industry organisations around the world to identify and disrupt illegal streaming services and support legal action against those responsible.
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