UK authorities seize 158,000 fake World Cup football shirts in counterfeiting raid

UK law enforcement has seized 158,000 counterfeit football shirts worth £5.5m in an operation targeting World Cup kit fraud.

• Edinburgh trading standards and Police Scotland confiscated 9 tonnes of fake Scotland, England, and other national team shirts.
• The counterfeit shirts, including those for Spain and France, will be recycled after brand owners confirmed them as fakes.
• Edinburgh councillor Neil Ross said the operation disrupts criminals who exploit major events and warned that counterfeits undermine safety and legitimate businesses.
• A Scottish FA spokesperson said the World Cup has increased demand for official kit and led to a rise in counterfeits, threatening income for grassroots and senior football.