France and Spain File Complaint Against FIFA's VPN Deal

France and Spain have submitted a formal complaint to FIFA concerning its sponsorship agreement with ExpressVPN, which they describe as a "disastrous" decision. Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga, is spearheading the complaint, arguing that the promotion of ExpressVPN hinders efforts to combat illegal football streaming.

Tebas stated that last year, La Liga clubs suffered losses of €700 million due to illegal streaming activities. The complaint emphasizes that FIFA's partnership with a company promoting piracy sends a detrimental message to the football ecosystem.

La Liga has expressed deep concern over FIFA's role as a global governing body and the need for vigilance to ensure partnerships align with the integrity of sports events. FIFA has stated that it conducts thorough evaluations before entering commercial partnerships.

The complaint also mentions ongoing legal actions against ExpressVPN by various sports organizations to protect audiovisual rights.