Officers from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) joined Premier League clubs at Wembley Stadium on June 3, to highlight the issue of counterfeiting within football.
Premier League clubs and partners, were joined by officers from PIPCU and other law enforcers from across the country, to share knowledge and ultimately stimulate the increased seizures of counterfeit merchandise. In the last three years, the Premier League has seized over 300,000 items of fake merchandise worth £4.3m. This is separate to the clubs’ and kit manufacturers’ own seizures. Given the world popularity of the Barclays Premier League and the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup, football clubs and their partners will continue to be targeted and exploited by counterfeiters, the authorities believe.
The event included exhibits from Premier League clubs showing the difference between their official merchandise and counterfeit goods, and presentations from industry.
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fyfe, Head of PIPCU, said: “PIPCU is the UK’s only specialist police unit dedicated to tackling intellectual property crime. Along with our partners, including the Premier League, we are working to combat the issue of counterfeiting to protect UK businesses and those unsuspecting consumers who fall victim to counterfeit fraud.”
Richard Masters, Premier League Director of Sales and Marketing, said: “The desire by supporters to display their allegiance to their favourite team makes our clubs much-targeted brands for exploitation by counterfeiters. Many fans find themselves unwillingly purchasing goods which they believe to be real. The sale of counterfeit goods doesn’t just take advantage of our loyal fans; it threatens the competitiveness of our clubs, the livelihoods of British workers, and in some instances, the health and safety of consumers.”
