UK Police Seize £18m in Counterfeit Football Kits During World Cup Over Fire Safety Fears

Published Jul 21, 05:12 AM UTC

UK police seized counterfeit football shirts worth over £18 million during the 2026 World Cup as part of Operation Bloxwich, a crackdown on fake merchandise. More than 220,000 items were recovered, including 1,618 fake strips from a Birmingham warehouse featuring stars like Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. The Fire Service warned that fake kits are far more flammable than genuine articles, posing serious burn risks, especially to children. Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service demonstrated that counterfeit shirts melted instantly when exposed to flame, while genuine shirts were difficult to ignite. The Intellectual Property Office noted that fake goods are unregulated, made in appalling conditions, and fund criminal networks. The high cost of authentic Premier League shirts (from £85) drives demand for cheap fakes sold for as little as £12.