Fake World Cup strips worth £35k confiscated from salesman in Newcastle

Fake football kits have been discovered in Newcastle. ( L-R ) Trading standards officer Paul Leighton, trading standards manager David Ellerington and trading standards officer Connor Lamb sort through confiscated shirts.
( L-R ) Trading standards officer Paul Leighton, trading standards manager David Ellerington and trading standards officer Connor Lamb sort through confiscated shirts. Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

A salesman who bought more than 1,300 fake football strips to sell during the World Cup was caught by trading standards who confiscated the goods.

Officers estimated the haul of counterfeit goods, had they been genuine, were worth in the region of £82,000.

They included most nations taking part in the football competition including England, Germany, France, and Portugal. Their street value is an estimated £35,000.

The full strips, including shorts, shirts and socks, were imported from abroad. They were reportedly going to be sold in online markets.

They were spotted during routine online searches for counterfeit goods carried out by trading standards officers online. They discovered the seller was using anonymous profiles and further searches led officers to an address in Newcastle.

A search of the property uncovered dedicated storage units for the strips, which were sorted by teams and sizes.

The colourful haul is now at a secret location, its future uncertain because of ongoing legal investigations. The strips may be confiscated and recycled or destroyed.

Trading standards officials in Newcastle confiscated fake World Cup strips worth £35k. Credit: Newcastle City Council

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