Inside the underground world of fake football shirts (Published 2025)

...& written piece here (should be free to read via this link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/541...

The Athletic FC Podcast: The Underground World of Fake Football Shirts Online searches for fake football shirts have gone up by over 500% since 2021, with the Premier league counterfeit market worth over £180m.But what damage could they be causing you and others?Adam...

Agreed, cover various issues of the wider discussion here in audio: podfollow.com/athletic-fc-...

..& that is part of the conversation, fans who feel they are being fleeced by the brands/organisations now, more than ever, have an opportunity to actively move in another direction to fakes. But at the same time, the criminality attached to the industry exists, and where that leads is also a thing.

Excl: joined police at one of largest UK open markets, 4400 fake shirts seized in pre-WC raid. Loss to legit market approx £400k($540k). 1 arrested on suspicion of distributing counterfeits. Fakes rise due to genuine prices (£20v£80+).

Read @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

Excl: joined police at one of largest UK open markets, 4400 fake shirts seized in pre-WC raid. Loss to legit market approx £400k($540k). 1 arrested on suspicion of distributing counterfeits. Fakes rise due to genuine prices (£20v£80+).

Read @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

Over 4,000 fake football shirts seized by police in pre-World Cup crackdown The early morning raid took place at a UK market. The haul represents a loss to the legitimate kit market of approximately £400,000.

From @theathleticfc.bsky.social: More than 4,400 fake football shirts have been seized by UK police in the biggest raid of a pre-World Cup crackdown. nyti.ms/42k7bZo

The Athletic FC Podcast: The Underground World of Fake Football Shirts Online searches for fake football shirts have gone up by over 500% since 2021, with the Premier league counterfeit market worth over £180m.But what damage could they be causing you and others?Adam...

Audio documentary on the subject here too if you want to listen/share: podfollow.com/athletic-fc-...

Inside the underground world of fake football shirts (Gift Article) Premier League clubs' official replica kits have become very expensive but 'buying that fake is far from a victimless crime'

Yeah that's a big part of the story - fans fed up paying so much, while the clubs and brands point to all the associated costs of making and supplying legit items.

This is written investigation that I did last year, which you may find interesting www.nytimes.com/athletic/541...

Over 4,400 fake football shirts have been seized by UK police in the biggest raid of a new pre-World Cup crackdown.

The early morning operation took place in the Midlands on Saturday at one of the largest outdoor markets in the country.

Full story from @adamleventhal.bsky.social

🔗 nyti.ms/48dNoyi

Over 4,000 fake football shirts seized by police in pre-World Cup crackdown (Gift Article) The early morning raid took place at a UK market. The haul represents a loss to the legitimate kit market of approximately £400,000.

Excl: 4400 fake football shirts seized by UK Police in biggest raid of new pre-WC crackdown.

Op at one of the largest open markets in the UK on Saturday.

Fans fed up with high prices but police warn of wider criminality.

Free read here @theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

I’ll be honest I don’t know what gets traction on here, but I saw this today in Lausanne and I thought I’d share it as people might like it, especially in the current climate.

And that’s what it all means - the full World Cup 2026 12 group & 48 team breakdown including the 6 play-off winners.

Image: @theathleticfc.bsky.social

And now all 6 remaining World Cup places are sorted - Bosnia & Herzegovina, Czechia, Turkey and Sweden go through from Europe.

With DR Congo & Iraq making it from the intercontinentals

The full 48 (inc Iran according to Infantino) that will play in U.S. / Canada / Mexico are locked in.

So 4 of the 6 remaining World Cup places sorted - Bosnia & Herzegovina (and not Italy), Czechia, Turkey and Sweden go through from Europe.

DR Congo/Jamaica in play right now and Iraq/Bolivia later.

Then we’ll know all 48 that will play in U.S. / Canada / Mexico.

FIFA’s Gianni Infantino says Iran will play at World Cup, attends Costa Rica friendly in Turkey Iran's participation at the men's World Cup has been thrown into doubt due to its ongoing war with co-hosts the United States.

By the way, FIFA President Gianni Infantino was at Iran's game with Costa Rica earlier today in Turkey & met with Iran Football Fed officials, had photos with them & the team and basically says everything is fine, they will be at the WC and play in the US.

More here www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy live updates: Latest from four World Cup 2026 play-off finals across Europe Keeping a close eye on the action in Prague this evening. Denmark's prize if they can beat Czech Republic? Going to a World Cup being co-hosted by a nation that has threatened to take Greenland — a se...

Live updates from @theathleticfc.bsky.social's team of reporters at grounds keeping tabs on the WC play-off finals tonight. I'm keeping a close eye on the Danes in Prague...

www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...

Iran beat Costa Rica 5-0 in warm-up game ahead of World Cup this afternoon. Match took place in Antalya, Turkey where they faced Nigeria (1-2) last week due to being unable to play in Tehran.

Next scheduled game v NZ, June 15 at Sofi in LA in WC group stage, but so much to be finalised before then

Iran men’s soccer team makes schoolbag tribute in anthem as World Cup uncertainty remains The nation are preparing for the World Cup, where each of its three group games are scheduled to be held in the U.S..

Iran men’s soccer team makes schoolbag tribute in anthem as World Cup uncertainty remains.

@colinmillar.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

World Cup play-offs: Who went through? What are the match-ups in the finals? (Gift Article) Both the European and intercontinental play-off finals take place on Tuesday after which all 48 teams will then be confirmed.

World Cup play-offs: Who went through? What are the match-ups in the finals? www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

Big win for Denmark in Copenhagen All done here. Denmark doing a proper job on North Macedonia and head into the decider on Tuesday. Damsgaard, a quick double from Isaksen and Norgaard with the four goals in 27 second-half minutes.Den...

Enjoyed watching the Danes win their PO semi v North Macedonia 4-0 tonight. Ended the game hand in hand celebrating with their fans, in contrast to heads in hands after Hampden, the half way line and all that against Scotland.

@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...

Just to keep you (ahem) posted that I’m at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the International Sports Convention. International break breather from football here.

Nigel Farage, Ipswich Town and a curious row over a party political video (Gift Article) Why was the Reform UK leader posting videos of himself at Portman Road? And why has the club's version of events been contradicted?

Nigel Farage, Ipswich Town and a curious row over a party political video from @dansheldon.bsky.social

Ipswich: "apolitical" & "does not support or endorse any individual or party."

But allowing such overt political show in your ground looks to be a real own goal.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

@georgecaulkin.bsky.social @jackpittbrooke.bsky.social @joshuakloke.bsky.social @sebsb.bsky.social @henrybushnell.bsky.social @eliasburke.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social

Almost as big as a WC squad. Anyway, hope you enjoy it/get some nuggets to nourish your football chat during the break.

Not sure if I can fit/find all contributors to above, but here goes: @jacklang.bsky.social @paultenorio.bsky.social @felipecardenas.bsky.social @willjeanes.bsky.social @thom-harris.bsky.social @nickmiller79.bsky.social @jameshorncastle.bsky.social @tburrows16.bsky.social @dermotmcorrigan.bsky.social

42 World Cup questions that will be answered during this international window From the identity of the final six teams to key selection issues and the co-hosts' preparedness, these are the things we will learn in March

Important World Cup questions answered here

www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...

42 World Cup questions that will be answered during this international window (Gift Article) From the identity of the final six teams to key selection issues and the co-hosts' preparedness, these are the things we will learn in March

Should be a really interesting international break, which isn't always the case tbh. Final 6 (of 48!) WC spots from 22 Euro and Intercontinental teams to whittle down.

Joined big @theathleticfc.bsky.social cast of writers to get you ready.

🎁 Gift link / free read.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...

Shouldn’t really have come as any surprise that there was trouble at Wembley that day when hours earlier this was the scene walking up to the stadium. Was something else.

Main catalyst for new law, explained by @mjslater.bsky.social below, was invaders into Wembley pre Euros final in 2021 as relaxation of lockdown rules created dangerous atmosphere & fans stormed perimeter & then tailgated & much more. Filmed this as I stood outside that day.

Iran football team returns home after week-long journey, two players remain in Australia (Gift Article) Seven members of the travelling party had initially decided to claim humanitarian asylum in Australia after safety concerns.

Iran women back home after week-long journey, 2 remain in Australia. 5 opted to reject humanitarian visas & met teammates in Malaysia after leaving Australia. Squad then flew to Turkey via Oman before road crossing into Iran on Weds.

@jacobwhitehead.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...

Amazing experience to be at Camp Nou to see Barca (and the stadium rebuild) in the flesh this evening for the 7-2 goal fest. Incredible atmosphere and lucky (thanks to friends) to have vantage point right next to the dugouts. 😎