Bruno Fernandes deepfake video — Oct 2026
An offshore casino utilized an unauthorized deepfake video of Manchester United footballer Bruno Fernandes for promotional advertising purposes
- Reported date
- Oct 24, 2026
- Target
- Bruno Fernandes
The exact incident date was not established. This entry is dated by its source report.
Unauthorized use of athlete likeness
An offshore casino recently utilized an unauthorized deepfake video of Manchester United footballer Bruno Fernandes for advertising purposes. This incident highlights the growing trend of entities using AI-generated content to leverage the likeness of professional athletes without their consent.
What happened
The incident involved the creation and distribution of a deepfake video featuring Bruno Fernandes, which was deployed by an offshore casino to promote its services. This unauthorized use of the footballer's image occurred amidst a broader landscape where bookmakers, broadcasters, and brands are increasingly utilizing athlete likenesses in AI-generated content without permission.
Legal experts note that while celebrities and athletes have some protections against the unauthorized use of their image and voice, these "passing off" laws typically require the public figure to prove they have suffered an economic loss. The incident underscores the challenges posed by the explosion of deepfakes generated by increasingly sophisticated, off-the-shelf software. In response to such threats, global player unions and top footballers have launched campaigns to highlight concerns regarding the inability of current regulations to slow the proliferation of unauthorized AI-generated content.