Counterfeit football shirts seized in major enforcement operation

Since January, officers have removed from sale over 220,000 fake shirts with an estimated genuine retail value of £18.5 million. The operation has resulted in multiple arrests and ongoing investigations.

A series of targeted operations across the country have disrupted the sale and distribution of the counterfeit shirts and kits. Four individuals have been arrested by PIPCU on suspicion of selling counterfeit shirts. A further two arrests were made by other police forces.

Enforcement activity has focused on online marketplaces and live shopping apps as well as traditional market stalls, reflecting a shift by offenders towards the use of tech platforms.

Counterfeit goods fund organised crime and deprive legitimate businesses and rights holders of revenue. Many counterfeit shirts are produced in unsafe and unregulated conditions and can contain harmful materials that fail safety standards. Buying counterfeit items can expose consumers to financial fraud and put their personal data at risk.

Tremendous effort

Detective Chief Inspector Amanda Lowe, head of the PIPCU, said: “This year has been a tremendous effort from everyone involved. As World Cup fever began to build, partners across the country came together to tackle this ever-growing issue. Our aim was simple: to ensure fans enjoyed the tournament and supporting their team in a shirt that’s safe and legitimate.”

Lowe continued: “Counterfeit football shirts are not a harmless bargain. They’re a key revenue stream for organised crime groups, helping to mask and fund the criminality happening behind the scenes.”

Further, Lowe stated: “An issue of this scale demands a co-ordinated response. We’ll continue working with our law enforcement, Government and industry partners to crack down on this illegal trade and the criminals who drive it.”

Helen Barnham, head of enforcement engagement at the IPO, noted: “As fans show their support for their favourite teams, criminal networks continue to exploit their loyalty by targeting the market with counterfeit kits. This is anything but a victimless crime.”

Barnham affirmed: “These kits are produced with little or no regard for the safety of those who purchase or wear them, while their sale does nothing to support the game of football. Instead, it supports the lifestyles of the criminals involved, diverting funds away from the sport into the hands of serious and organised crime gangs.”

Barnham went on to comment: “The trade in counterfeit goods is estimated to cost thousands of jobs in the UK each year and supports other forms of serious crime, in turn harming legitimate businesses, society and the wider economy. We continue to work with our partners to help tackle this threat to our communities, thereby empowering fans to make informed choices and benefit everyone who loves the game.”

Criminal networks 

Border Force director general Phil Douglas explained: “Criminal networks are exploiting fans’ passion for the game to make money from counterfeit goods. What appears to be a cheap alternative can pose genuine safety risks and help to fund wider criminal activity. “Our officers are working around the clock to stop these goods from reaching the UK and disrupt the criminal groups behind them.”

A spokesperson from the Football Association commented: “We would strongly advise all fans to avoid counterfeit products. Not only are such products often poor quality, but brand abuse and counterfeiting negatively impacts The FA’s role as a not-for-profit organisation directly funding all levels of our national game.”

Kebharu Smith, director of Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit, concluded: “Counterfeiting is a global industry-wide problem and it’s why we’re proud to lock arms with the City of London Police and PIPCU on this operation. Amazon has a zero tolerance policy for counterfeit products in our store. Our Counterfeit Crimes Unit will continue to work with law enforcement and brands to hold counterfeiters accountable, while also protecting customers and the brands that criminal groups are attempting to exploit.”