Counterfeit football shirts: how to find them recognize it and why to avoid it.
They're everywhere online, at unbeatable prices. Counterfeit soccer jerseys attract many fans with their almost identical appearance to official jerseys. But behind the "good" deal lie real risks, both for fans and for the football world.
⚠️ Beware of fake sites : Several fraudulent sites are riding the wave of counterfeit football shirts by using names very similar to PlanetFoot to deceive consumers. They imitate our name, our visuals or even our communications to appear legitimate, but have nothing to do with us . These malicious platforms often offer products at knockdown prices, deliver poor quality counterfeits (or nothing at all), and put your personal data at risk. Only trust the official website: www.planetfoot.com . If the URL seems suspicious or different, run away. At PlanetFoot, we guarantee 100% official, verified and licensed products . The security of your purchases and your passion should never be left to chance.
Counterfeit football shirts: a growing phenomenon
The market for fake football jerseys has exploded in recent years. In Europe, 15% of young people aged 15 to 24 regularly buy counterfeit sports products. The main reason? Price. An authentic club or national team jersey often costs around €90 to €140 with printing, while a copy can be found for €30 or less , including delivery. With the rise of fashion trends like “blokecore” (wearing a football jersey every day) and easy online shopping, the temptation of counterfeits has never been greater. Especially since the quality of imitations has significantly improved: today, it is difficult to distinguish a fake from a real one at first glance . Some fakes are even produced in the same factories as the real jerseys via illegal channels called “overruns,” which makes them even more undetectable.
Economic impact of counterfeiting in football
While fans may think they're getting a good deal, counterfeiting is causing considerable damage to the sports industry. According to the EUIPO (EU Intellectual Property Observatory), counterfeiting of sports goods represents €82 million in lost sales per year in France (around 6.8% of the market), and nearly €500 million in lost revenue across Europe . This represents a huge loss of revenue for clubs, equipment manufacturers, and official distributors. Less official revenue potentially means less budget for clubs (transfers, youth training, infrastructure) and even job losses in the sports sector.
Furthermore, the money spent on a counterfeit jersey feeds an underground network instead of benefiting the legitimate football economy. Official manufacturers set higher prices because they adhere to textile quality and working conditions standards – something that producers of fake jerseys do not respect in most cases . By purchasing a counterfeit, you indirectly encourage questionable manufacturing practices (non-respect of workers' rights, lack of quality control) and deprive your club of revenue. Conversely, buying an official jersey from an authorized retailer is an investment in your favorite team and supports the entire football industry (from the manufacturer to the club).
The dangers of counterfeit football shirts
Buying a fake jersey is not without risks for the supporter. First, the quality is often poor: less breathable fabric, fragile seams, colors that fade in the wash. A counterfeit jersey generally has a limited lifespan , whereas an official jersey will last for years. Disappointment can occur after a few uses (numbers that peel off, fabric that deteriorates quickly, etc.).
More worryingly, counterfeits can pose health risks . Since they don't meet any standards, they can be made with toxic inks or materials. A US study revealed that one in three counterfeit sports items contains dangerous chemicals (heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, lead, phthalates, etc.). These substances, which are absent from official, approved jerseys, can cause irritation or allergies, especially in children. Wearing a fake jersey therefore potentially means wearing clothing that is harmful to the skin.
There is also the issue of security and service . Fake jerseys are sold on unscrupulous websites or sellers: no after-sales service in case of a problem, no exchange possible if the size does not fit, and a significant risk of scam (product never delivered, unsecured banking data, etc.). Not to mention that it is an illegal purchase – even if, in practice, the buyer of counterfeit rarely risks direct prosecution, supporting this trade fuels fraud. In the end, the “cheap” fake jersey can cost much more than you think, both for you and for the company.
Buying an official jersey: a winning choice for everyone
Given these findings, the best option remains to buy an official jersey . While the price is higher, this difference is justified by the quality and guarantees offered. With an authentic jersey, you benefit from a superior quality product : breathable technical fabric, careful finishing, official logos embroidered or heat-sealed with precision. The official jersey is designed to last and withstand matches as well as repeated washing.
Buying official also means having peace of mind . You know your money is going to the right people : the clubs you love, the brands that innovate to improve equipment, and the employees who work in regulated conditions. You are directly supporting the football economy and the development of your favorite team. As one major retailer pointed out, official licensed jerseys are checked to meet current standards – this avoids the toxic glues and allergenic fabrics of counterfeits. As a bonus, an authentic jersey has sentimental and even potentially financial value (for collectors), whereas a copy will be worthless over time.
Finally, wearing the real jersey of your favorite club or player gives you a sense of pride that you don't get with a counterfeit. It's showing your colors with confidence, without worrying that a missed detail will betray the fake. In other words, the pleasure is total: you fully enjoy the jersey, while doing a good deed for football.
PlanetFoot's commitment: PlanetFoot exclusively sells officially licensed jerseys . On our online store, you can be sure you're buying authentic, high-quality, and compliant products. Support your team with confidence and buy your jersey safely with PlanetFoot! 🛒⚽
FAQ: Your questions about counterfeit jerseys
How to recognize a fake football jersey?
Example of a counterfeit jersey label: the generic wording "ADIDAS JSY" appears on it instead of an official reference specific to the club. Simplified or poorly sewn labels are a common indicator of counterfeiting. To identify a counterfeit soccer jersey, first check the inside label . An official jersey has a well-sewn brand label, with the size, composition, place of manufacture and often a QR code or security hologram . If the label is missing, incomplete or crooked, be suspicious. Next, examine the logos and finishing : on a real jersey, the club and equipment manufacturer logos are precise, well centered and of high quality (neat embroidery or clean iron-on). On a fake, the logos may be blurred, misaligned or the colors slightly faded. Also look at the stitching: an official jersey has strong and even stitching, while counterfeits often show loose threads or rough stitching. Finally, price and location are key indicators: an obscure website offering a new jersey at 70% off the official price is almost certainly a scam. In short, trust your common sense: too many visible defects or an offer that's too good to be true usually means the jersey isn't authentic.
Why buy an official jersey?
Buying an official jersey means choosing quality and authenticity . You get a durable, comfortable product that matches what your favorite players wear. You financially support your club and the official players in football – each jersey sold under license contributes to the club's revenue and the development of the sport. It's also a safe choice for you: official jerseys meet health and manufacturing standards, so you won't have any unpleasant surprises (no toxic substances or hidden defects). Finally, there's real satisfaction in wearing your team's real jersey, like a fan proud to show their colors. By choosing the official jersey, you're investing in a symbol of your passion, while avoiding the pitfalls of counterfeits.
What are the risks associated with counterfeit jerseys?
The risks are multiple. In terms of quality , you risk receiving a disappointing jersey: poor fabric, peeling flocking, ill-fitting size, etc. In terms of health , as we have seen, a fake jersey can contain harmful chemicals or cause allergies. There is no guarantee or after-sales service : in the event of a defect or error, the counterfeit seller will not help you. Moreover, buying counterfeits fuels an illegal market - even if the buyer risks little legally , it encourages counterfeiters to the detriment of legitimate clubs and brands. In short, fake jerseys can harm your wallet, your health and football in general . Better to invest a little more in a real jersey and have peace of mind!
