Spain’s Civil Guard Shuts Down Major Pirate Streaming Channel Cristal Azul

Spain’s Civil Guard has dismantled the country’s largest pirate streaming network, Cristal Azul, which provided free access to paid soccer matches from Spain’s First and Second divisions. Serving around 78,000 users, the operation inflicted an estimated €42 million in losses to legitimate rights holders.

This action, dubbed Operation ‘Blue Corsair,’ was initiated after a joint complaint by LaLiga and Movistar. The suspected ringleader, a 37-year-old man, is under investigation but has not been arrested.

In early October, the Guardia Civil’s technological unit successfully blocked and erased Telegram channels used to access the pirated matches, along with the programming code exploited for illegal streaming. On October 9, the channel’s administrator announced its permanent closure, citing mounting legal pressures.

Using the Kodi media player and an illicit extension developed by a third party, users were able to stream football and other sports for free. Investigators traced the source code to Telegram, uncovering the pseudonyms behind the operation. Cross-referencing data with police databases, authorities identified the suspect.

The investigation led to the removal of the Telegram channels, the shutdown of the programming code, and a formal accusation of market-related fraud. Cristal Azul also streamed movies and series from other platforms, amplifying its illegal reach.

What is “Cristal Azul”?

Cristal Azul was a popular illegal streaming platform based in Spain, primarily used to access pirated sports broadcasts, movies, and TV series. It gained significant attention for offering paid soccer matches from Spain’s LaLiga (First and Second Divisions) for free, attracting around 78,000 users.

The platform operated through various methods, including a Kodi media player add-on and Telegram channels, which facilitated access to live sports, movies, and series without proper licensing. By bypassing official subscription services, Cristal Azul caused substantial financial losses, estimated at over €42 million, to legitimate rights holders such as LaLiga and Movistar.

Its operations came to an abrupt end in 2024 following an investigation by Spain’s Guardia Civil during “Operation Blue Corsair.” Authorities dismantled its network, erased its programming code, and shut down its Telegram channels. The alleged operator, a 37-year-old man, is under investigation for crimes related to market fraud and intellectual property theft.

Cristal Azul was a prominent example of piracy’s impact on sports and entertainment industries, illustrating the ongoing fight against illegal streaming networks worldwide.