Premier League streams shut down during latest clampdown to stop Brits watching free football matches

Free sport stream providers went offline last weekend, upsetting Brits who paid subscriptions to watch them.

FOOTBALL fans trying to watch Premier League matches without forking out may struggle this season as the Kodi crackdown continues.

Sport lovers who sat down to watch free - or cheap - live streams were met with blank screens just minutes into the West Ham versus Manchester United clash on Sunday.

Earlier this year, the Premier League was granted a court order which allowed them to shut down streaming of football matches by blocking internet servers that provide them.

If the first weekend of the season is anything to go by, the court order is proving to be effective.

At least three paid-for IPTV (Internet Protocol television services) were affected over the weekend.

Brits who coughed up for the services - at a fraction of the legitimate alternatives - took to forums and social media to vent their anger.

It wasn't entirely clear whether the Premier League was responsible for the blackout.FOOTBALL fans trying to watch Premier League matches without forking out may struggle this season as the Kodi crackdown continues.

The sites may have been brought down by hackers, or rivals.

According to the experts at Torrent Freak, one UK provider quickly tried to find a new domain name - thinking that its own web address had been placed on a Premier League "black list".

Kodi, Perfect Player and GSE IPTV were just some of the providers that went offline.

But it's likely that more streams will be shut down as the season continues.

The Premier League won't reveal exactly what it's planning to nip illegal streaming in the bud - but it's likely to be working around the clock to make sure people pay to watch matches.

Despite the crackdown, Kodi boxes are legal. Users are able to buy a box and watch free content.

But it becomes illegal when a box is used to stream subscription channels for free.

It is also against the law to buy or sell modified devices which have become known as "fully-loaded" - a term that describes how the software has been altered to allow access to subscription-only channels offering pirated content.