Sports
TV fraud gang ordered to repay £3.75m for illegally streaming Premier League matches
Five members of a gang who were sent to prison for illegally streaming Premier League games have been ordered by the court to return their profits, worth £3.75m.
In May 2023, Mark Gould, described by the judge as the driving force behind the illegal streaming service Flawless TV, and four other members, were sentenced to more than 30 years in prison between them, in what was the world’s largest piracy sentencing.
Their business involved more than 50,000 customers and resellers, as well as 30 employees, with the operation generating in excess of £7m between 2016 and 2021.
Gould, originally sentenced to 11 years in prison, was this week ordered by Derby Crown Court to forfeit the proceeds of his criminal activities and return £2.35m within three months or face a further prison sentence of 10 years.
Similar proceedings have been instigated against four other defendants from the case who were ordered to pay back a total of more than £1.4m or also risk longer prison sentences.
The total sum of £3.75m is the second largest figure ordered in the UK against the operators of an illegal streaming service.
The money will be distributed back into the public purse with 50% to the Treasury and 50% to bodies involved in the prosecution, including the courts, the prosecuting authority and the financial investigators.
The sentencing and the subsequent confiscation proceeding came about after a rare private prosecution by the Premier League, supported by a number of organisations including Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s Trading Standards team and the intellectual property protection organisation, FACT.
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Sports
St Mirren 1-0 St Johnstone

Highlights from the Scottish Premiership match between St Mirren and St Johnstone
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'That is another crunching finish!' | Hickey lands DEVASTATING knockout

Sam Hickey’s huge right hand knocked out Brad Axe in the seventh round of their contest.
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WNBA commissioner stresses integrity, respect on topic of transgender athletes in league-wide memo
In a memo sent to team presidents, general managers and coaches Friday, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert advised the league’s leaders on their approach to the topic of transgender participation in women’s sports. The commissioner stressed approaching it with integrity and respect, without specifically defining the league’s stance.
The issue has dominated conversation around the WNBA in the wake of Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham’s recent comments in favor of excluding trans athletes from women’s sports.
Engelbert listed three guiding principles for the league in the discussion but did not clarify whether or not trans athletes are allowed to play in the WNBA.
“First, we will always approach this topic thoughtfully, respectfully, and in alignment with the long-standing values of our league,” she wrote in the memo, a copy of which was obtained by The Athletic. “Second, our player eligibility rules, unlike the eligibility rules of some other leagues and governing bodies, are collectively bargained. Lastly, preserving the integrity of our game and ensuring fair competition will always remain among the league’s highest priorities.”
There is no mention of trans athletes in the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement, although the document does state that “only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.”
Engelbert wrote in the memo that the league has a previously scheduled meeting of a task force of presidents and GMs in the coming week that will address this conversation and other league issues.
In the wake of Cunningham’s comments and the subsequent rallies that have followed the Indiana Fever at road games, the commissioner acknowledged that she expects “this topic will continue to receive significant attention.” She praised team leadership for their response to increasing questions and invited them to continue reaching out to her with questions and perspectives.
Coaches around the league have frequently been asked about the issue since Cunningham first told ESPN she wants to “protect young girls in a locker room” and that “they shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
Cheryl Reeve has been the loudest voice in favor of inclusion of transgender kids in particular. Golden State Valkyries All-Star Gabby Williams welcomed transgender athletes joining the WNBA, while the Women’s National Basketball Players Association released a statement denouncing “hate, abuse, and demonization” of the transgender community.
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