Leicestershire Trading Standards officers are warning football fans to be on their guard when buying merchandise in the run-up to the World Cup this summer, following a recent enforcement operation at Measham Car Boot Sale.
The operation, carried out on Sunday 17 May in partnership with Leicestershire Police, resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of suspected counterfeit and potentially unsafe goods.
Among the items seized were 52 England football shirts and kits, including adult and children’s versions, all believed to be counterfeit.
The wider haul was made up of almost 500 items, including softs toy containing potential carcinogens, suspected counterfeit Calvin Klein underwear, Nike socks, Labubu dolls, Mario toys, Adidas bags, Apple Airpods, illegal tobacco and vapes.
Most of the items seized were suspected to be counterfeit, and some of them were also potentially unsafe.
In total, the goods seized would have had an estimated retail value of more than £10,500 if they had been genuine.
A man was arrested for suspected offences under the Trademarks Act following the seizure and was later bailed pending further investigation.
Leicestershire Trading Standards is now urging fans to think carefully before buying cut-price football kits and merchandise, particularly from unofficial sellers.
While counterfeit items can look convincing, and consumers are tempted by the cheap price, they are often poorly manufactured and may contain harmful dyes or toxic substances, as well as harming legitimate businesses.
There are a number of ways to spot a fake shirt:
- The price is the first indication the kit may be fake
- Fake shirts also often fail to replicate the intricate detailing of official crests
- There should be no loose threads or glue marks
- Fakes can have messy embroidery or logos that peel off easily
- Check the quality of the hem and sleeve stitching and the thread colour inside the shirts as this usually matches the fabric
- Authentic shirts should feel lightweight, smooth, and breathable, while fakes can feel flimsy, cheap or heavy
As excitement builds ahead of the World Cup, we know fans will be keen to show their support. However, if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Counterfeit goods may appear authentic, but they can be poorly made and, in some cases, unsafe.
Buying fake merchandise not only risks your safety but also undercuts honest businesses that adhere to strict environmental, safety and employment laws.
Person:Councillor Dan Harrison, leader of Leicestershire County Council
Trading Standards will continue to work with partner agencies to disrupt the sale of counterfeit and unsafe products across the county, particularly as demand for football merchandise increases.
Anyone with information about the sale of counterfeit or unsafe goods is encouraged to report it to Trading Standards.