UK Police Seize £18m of Counterfeit Football Kits Over Safety Fears

UK authorities seized counterfeit football merchandise worth more than £18 million during the World Cup, warning that fake shirts pose serious fire risks. The Police Intellectual Property Office recovered over 220,000 fake items across the country as part of Operation Bloxwich, a targeted effort against counterfeit goods.

One raid in Birmingham netted 1,618 fake shirts, including replicas of star players such as Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. Detective Sergeant Jamie Kirk, who took part in the operation, said the lower price of counterfeit kits makes them attractive, but warned they are not regulated and could be highly flammable.

"These shirts, they're not regulated and could be highly flammable. They have dyes in them which could be harmful to skin, particularly children's skin," Kirk told the BBC. "While the cost is lower, potential damages to you and the people making them is just far too high."

Fire Safety Tests Reveal Danger

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service tested counterfeit shirts against genuine kit and found the fakes melted instantly when exposed to flame. Watch manager Dave Jackson, who carried out the test, said: "I really had to try to make the genuine one ignite and melt. The counterfeit one melted as soon as the burner went on it."

• Fake shirts can be bought for as little as £12, while official Premier League strips start at £85.
• Counterfeit goods are not subject to health and safety regulations or British standards.
• The shirts may contain harmful dyes and are manufactured in poor conditions.
• Sales are linked to criminal networks, and proceeds fund other illegal activities.
• Authorities warn that counterfeiters will target upcoming events like the new Premier League season.

Kate Caffrey, head of intelligence at the Intellectual Property Office, emphasised that counterfeit goods are made by criminal gangs. "They're very adept at targeting markets where there's demand. So the World Cup, the forthcoming Premier League season – they're going to flood the market with fake shirts," she said. "The price of a fake shirt, you don't know what you're funding with that money." Authorities urge fans to buy only from official retailers to avoid safety risks and funding crime.