The problem relates to the current broadcasting rights deal negotiated by the League, which reflects the League's desire to protect game attendance levels. Accordingly, broadcasters are not allowed to show Saturday matches live in the UK. They are instead shown as highlights or broadcast in full later.
However, the League did permit games to be broadcast live in other parts of the world. Unfortunately, fraudsters are streaming this live footage back to the UK, where it can be watched on-line at little cost.
According to the BBC, the League has been in touch with many of the web sites involved, threatening legal action. While many sites have closed down, the League is now apparently deciding whether it would be worth making an example of one, by suing.