On Monday, the United States Justice Department announced it seized and shut down 55 websites illegally streaming the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

According to VOA, the DOJ went ahead to shut down the websites after a FIFA representative marked the sites as sharing copyright-infringing content without authorisation from FIFA.

The names of websites caught up in the breach were not disclosed, but the DOJ said visitors to the sites would be redirected to another site for additional information.

The world football governing body owns the rights to media coverage of any FIFA World Cup event.

“While many may believe that such websites do not constitute serious threats, the infringement upon rights holders of any intellectual property is a growing threat to our economic viability,” said James Harry, a special agent of the Homeland Security Department. “The impact can be felt across multiple industries, and it can be the conduit to other forms of criminal activity.”

Matches in the 2022 FIFA World Cup will continue tonight as Argentina locks horns with Croatia in the first semifinal fixture at the Lusail Iconic Stadium. The other match, between France and Morocco, will take place tomorrow at the Al Bayt Stadium.