Counterfeit football kits: What's the real cost?

Fake Football Kits: The Hidden Costs of Cheap Fashion

For football fans, the thrill of wearing their favourite team's jersey is a big part of the game-day experience. But with prices reaching up to £85 for authentic kits and just £15 for fakes, it's no wonder many are turning to cheaper alternatives – even if they're not always genuine.

Experts warn that counterfeit kits pose serious health risks, as manufacturers often use sub-standard materials that could cause skin irritation or other problems. "We just don't know what's in these kits - they could pose a health risk," says Louise Baxter-Scott from Trading Standards.

The rise of fake football kits is partly due to the pressure of Christmas shopping and increasing cost of living, which pushes consumers towards cheaper alternatives. Chloe Long, deputy director general at the Anti-Counterfeiting Group, warns that even if the kits look legitimate, they could cause skin problems or other issues. "Wearing that strip could cause irritation," she says. "It could even cause more significant problems - particularly if harmful toxins or dyes are used to manufacture those products."

The source of these fakes is often China, where factories churn out cheap replicas of popular football kits. The BBC found several websites selling fake Premier League shirts for as little as £12.

While it's not illegal to buy fake kits in the UK, selling them is against the law and can result in a 10-year prison term or an unlimited fine. The Premier League has launched an anti-counterfeiting programme that helped seize over 1.1 million items worth more than £70m and removed over a million online listings of fake products.

So why do real football kits cost so much? Kit designer Rob Warner says it's all about the cost of production. "The cost of making a product is more than the constituent parts," he explains. "You wouldn't walk into a restaurant and order a steak and chips and say: 'I'm not paying £20 for that - I could get a steak for £4 from the supermarket.' You're paying for the environment, you're paying for the chef."

Warner's business has been impacted by the rise of counterfeit kits. "It's a struggle anyway, with everything that's going on with the cost of living," he says.

So how can fans spot a fake? The Anti-Counterfeiting Group recommends checking if it's on a reputable website and looking for pen marks or other signs of human error. James Humphrey, owner of a retro football kit shop, also suggests using a search engine to check the authenticity of the product by entering a code from the label.

For many fans, the temptation to buy cheap fakes is too great – but it's worth remembering that the real deal comes with a price tag for a reason.

I think its kinda wild how much pressure people are under to find cheaper alternatives, especially with Christmas coming up . Like, yes, £85 might seem steep, but £15 is still pretty cheap and you get what you pay for right? It's not just about the money, it's also about supporting the teams and artists who create these kits . And let's be real, its not like they're gonna take your £20 off if you buy a fake kit . Plus, those toxins and dyes Louise mentioned, that's not something to laugh at . So yeah, lets find ways to balance our love for the game with being responsible consumers

The proliferation of fake football kits serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of prioritizing affordability over authenticity and quality control. While £15 for a counterfeit kit may seem like a bargain, the risks associated with sub-standard materials could far outweigh any temporary savings . As consumers become increasingly savvy, it's crucial that manufacturers prioritize transparency and accountability in their production processes to prevent such pitfalls. Moreover, supporting legitimate businesses like Kit Designer Rob Warner's is essential in promoting fair trade practices and sustainable industries

man i feel so guilty buying those £15 " authentic" jerseys lol like they're not even trying anymore but seriously though think about all the people who make those cheap kits - factories in china or wherever are putting their health at risk just to get that $$ and it's crazy how easy it is for us to buy into it, literally buying into it too i mean i know some of them might not be that bad but what if they are? and those £85 ones are just ridiculous - like yeah sure i wanna wear my team's jersey but do i really need the quality and safety that comes with it?

Ugh, I feel so bad for these football kit designers, Rob Warner and all . They work super hard on creating these amazing kits, and then some people just want to slap together cheap fakes in China . Like, yeah, we get it, Christmas shopping can be crazy and prices are high, but come on, those sub-standard materials could cause serious health issues . I think it's time for us fans to consider the value of our £85 jerseys - they're not just a pretty face, there's someone behind that cost . Maybe we should try supporting the kit designers directly instead of going for fake ones?

ugh i feel bad 4 people who cant afford da real thing but £85 is still way outta reach 4 alot of fans meanwhile fake kits r out there putting ppl's health at risk its all about the benjamins right? shouldnt we be supporting our fave teams by buying da legit stuff tho? anyway gotta appreciate da premier league for trying to crack down on da fake kits

I gotta say, when I think about those £15 fake football kits... I feel like we're all trying to save a buck, you know? But sometimes you gotta ask yourself, what's the real cost of something? Is it just the sticker price or is there more to it? Like Rob Warner said, that steak and chips might cost £20 but it's also worth £20 because someone made it with love and care. Same thing with those football kits... if they're gonna pose a health risk just to save us some cash, I think we gotta rethink our priorities.

And you know what the scariest part is? It's not just the fake kits themselves but how easily we can get fooled. The internet is like a big playground for scammers and counterfeiters. We need to be more careful, do our research, and look out for each other.

It's all about finding that balance between being savvy consumers and being willing to pay for quality... not just cheap.

You know what really gets me about this whole thing? It's not just about the £10 difference between a fake and an authentic kit... it's about the value we place on something as simple as a piece of clothing . We're willing to gamble with our health, our safety, all for the sake of saving a few quid. And that's what I think is really sad - we've lost sight of the true cost of something.

I mean, think about it... when you buy an authentic kit, you're not just buying a piece of clothing, you're investing in your fandom, in the team's values and history . You're supporting the people who work hard to create that kit, who put their blood sweat and tears into every stitch. But with fakes, it's just about the cheap thrill... until it bites you, literally .

It's like we're so caught up in the fast lane of consumerism, we forget what truly matters. We need to take a step back, think about the consequences of our actions, and maybe, just maybe, reevaluate what we're willing to pay for .

I totally get why people wanna splurge on those legit football kits but £85 is bloody crazy! I mean, what if you're just looking for a nice souvenir or something to wear on match day and you can't afford it? Now that's when fake kits come into play - those cheap fakes are just dodgy . I don't think the prices should be that high anyway, but at least we know what we're paying for with a legit kit.

ugh i cant even believe how cheap those fake kits are £12 for a premier league shirt?? its like they think people dont care about their health or whatever i mean yeah the cost of living is crazy but come on we can afford to spend a bit more money on something that wont poison us and theres no way to know what's in those cheap kits anyway lol some factories just make whatever and hope for the best its all about the benjamins right now

I feel bad for those who just wanna cop the latest jersey but end up getting ripped off . It's all about priorities, fam - if you're gonna spend £85 on a kit, make sure it's worth it . The fact that counterfeit kits can have harsh chemicals in 'em is crazy... what's a few quid compared to your own health? You gotta weigh the costs and benefits, right? It's like, I get why you wanna save a tenner, but do you really want to risk it all just for a cheap thrill?

I mean, have you ever stopped to think about what goes into making those super-cheap football kits? It's crazy to me how some manufacturers just don't care about using sub-par materials to save a buck. Like, if it looks like the real deal but feels off or causes skin irritation, is that really worth it? The Premier League has been doing a great job of cracking down on counterfeiters and removing fake products from online marketplaces, so let's all do our part in supporting the legit kits, right?

I also think it's wild how some people get caught up in the pressure to find deals during Christmas shopping. I mean, £12 for a fake Premier League shirt is just not worth the risk, you know? And the fact that some manufacturers are already feeling the strain of this trend on their business... Rob Warner's point about paying for the environment and the chef at a restaurant is really relevant here. It's all about valuing what we're putting on our skin.

As for spotting fakes, I think it's awesome that the Anti-Counterfeiting Group is spreading awareness about these red flags (like pen marks or human error). And if you're not sure, just do a quick Google search with the code from the label – it's like using a superpower to keep yourself safe!

I mean, can you believe how much these fake kits are selling for? £12 for a Premier League shirt? It's like they're just copying off the originals and slapping 'designer' on them. Back in my day, if you wanted a genuine jersey, it was going to cost you at least £50 and that was just for one team! And don't even get me started on the materials they use - Louise Baxter-Scott is right, we have no idea what's really going into these kits. My nephew got some fake kit from China and his skin broke out something awful. It's not worth it, folks. You pay for quality and safety, not some cheap knock-off.

£85 for a legit kit and £15 for fake? It's like comparing apples to oranges. People gotta stop chasing those sick deals and realize what they're getting themselves into . Counterfeit kits are not worth the risk, fam . We got legit shops where we can get them at a price that doesn't compromise on quality . If you want that sweet pre-season feel, invest in the real thing, ain't no joke

I totally get why people are tempted to go for those super cheap football kits , especially around Christmas when prices can get crazy . But as much as I want my kid to have their fave team's jersey for the big game, I wouldn't wanna risk them getting skin irritation or worse from some dodgy materials . I mean, think about it, we're already shelling out £85 for authentic ones - is that really worth risking our health?

And honestly, it just makes me worry about the whole production process - like Rob Warner said, the cost of making a product is more than just the materials . I get it, kit designers want to make a profit and all, but surely there's a way to balance that with keeping fans safe?

I've also seen those super cheap websites selling fake kits for like £12 - it's like they're not even trying to hide the fact that they're fakes! Anyway, I'm gonna stick with buying from legit retailers and supporting our kit designers . Safety first, right?

Ugh, can you believe some people would rather risk their skin health for a £10 football kit?! It's not worth it, imo. Those fake kits are literally a ticking time bomb for your skin and overall health. I mean, who needs that kind of stress in their life?

And don't even get me started on the factories in China churning out these cheap replicas. Like, what's going through their minds? They're putting people's lives at risk for a quick buck? No thanks!

The Premier League is doing its part to crack down on this issue and it's about time more people take notice. I mean, £85 for an authentic kit might seem steep, but trust me, it's worth it in the long run. Your skin (and your wallet) will thank you.

omg u know what's crazy?? fake football kits r not just about the benjamins lol they got health risks involved!! i mean think about it, manufacturers are using sub standard materials cuz its cheaper, and thats a recipe 4 disaster! but on the flip side, maybe this is an opportunity for some entrepreneurs to create their own affordable lines that dont compromise quality? idk

omg dont even get me started on these fake football kits theyre like a ticking time bomb for ur skin and health u cant put a price on ur safety i mean whats £15 compared to £85 lol just no way to go through life with one of those cheap chinese copies but seriously its not worth the risk, get the real deal or dont get it at all

I really can't believe some people are buying those fake football kits for like £12 they're gonna end up in hospital or something because of bad materials I mean, you pay £85 for a genuine one and it's worth it, right? But no, people want to save a few quid and risk their health

I think the Premier League is doing a good job with that anti-counterfeiting programme tho they've taken down millions of fake listings and seized loads of counterfeit kits. I just wish people would be more careful when shopping online and check those websites before buying, you know?