UK police seize £18m in counterfeit football kits over safety fears
7 reported
UK police seized counterfeit football merchandise worth over £18 million during the World Cup, citing safety concerns. The Fire Service warned that fake shirts are far more flammable than genuine articles. More than 220,000 pieces of football merchandise were recovered by the Police Intellectual Property Office as part of Operation Bloxwich, a UK police enforcement effort targeting counterfeit goods. One raid involved 1,618 fake strips taken from a warehouse in Birmingham, including replicas of players such as France's Kylian Mbappe and Norway's Erling Haaland. Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service tested the flammability of counterfeit shirts compared with genuine kit and found the fake kits were much more flammable. Officials warned that counterfeit shirts are not regulated, may contain harmful dyes, and are made by criminal networks.
What’s reported
Counterfeit football shirts worth over £18m were seized in the UK during the World Cup.
More than 220,000 pieces of football merchandise were recovered by the Police Intellectual Property Office.
The seizures were part of Operation Bloxwich, a UK police enforcement effort targeting counterfeit goods.
One raid involved 1,618 fake strips taken from a warehouse in Birmingham, including replicas of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service tested fake shirts and found they were much more flammable than genuine kits.
Fake shirts can sell for as little as £12, while official Premier League strips start at £85.
Officials warned counterfeit shirts are not subject to health and safety regulations and may contain harmful dyes.
Key figures
Detective Sergeant Jamie Kirk, who took part in the operation
Dave Jackson, watch manager at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service
Kate Caffrey, head of intelligence at the Intellectual Property Office
Sources: BBC News
