UMVA has learned that a massive crackdown on counterfeit football jerseys has uncovered hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of fake kits in the lead up to the World Cup.
The authorities have been working tirelessly to seize fake merchandise, with Camden Council alone confiscating over 4,400 jerseys worth an estimated £442,500 between February and May this year. This is a significant blow to counterfeiters who have been flooding the UK with fake football shirts from abroad.
British Border Force also seized almost 2,500 counterfeit football-related items in the first four months of this year, including 842 England football shirts. These seizures highlight the scale of the problem and the need for football supporters to be vigilant when purchasing merchandise.
Football supporters have been warned of the dangers of buying fake merchandise, with Chloe Long, Deputy Director General at The Anti-Counterfeiting Group, stating that 'fake kits are not a harmless bargain.' The profits from counterfeit merchandise bankroll organised crime, and the goods often meet no safety or quality standards.
Long also warned that these figures are 'just the tip of the iceberg' of the fake football shirt problem, with a 'far larger volume' slipping through. She added that with the World Cup underway, demand for football shirts is soaring, and criminals are cashing in.
The high cost of official jerseys, with the official England home shirt retailing at £89.99, has raised questions about how many supporters are turning to unofficial alternatives. Campaign groups and MPs are calling for clubs to consider how expensive their jerseys are and to work towards making official merchandise more accessible to supporters.
Niall Couper, Chair of Football Action Network, stated that 'these figures should prompt football to ask why so many supporters are turning to the counterfeit market in the first place.' He called for clubs, manufacturers, and the wider game to work together to ensure official merchandise is accessible to more supporters.
The Football Supporters' Association has backed calls for clubs to commit to a minimum two-year cycle on replica shirts and training kit, and for kits to be manufactured with an ethical procurement policy in place. This would reduce costs for supporters and ensure that workers receive a fair wage and good working conditions.
Councillor Camron Aref-Adib, Cabinet Member for Finance and Cost of Living, has urged football fans to buy their kit from official stores ahead of the World Cup, warning that counterfeit clothes are often poorly made with hazardous materials.
