World Cup fraudsters set to pay the penalty in Croydon

More than £140bn of fake football goods are sold around the world each year, with the World Cup offering a huge opportunity for suppliers to pass on dodgy stock as the real thing.

Officers in Croydon already have experience of turning up football-related forgeries, once seizing a batch of scarves advertising a ‘rather unpleasant’ sounding club called Cystal Palace.

Councillor Steve O’Connell, cabinet member for community safety, said: “Our investigative officers do a tremendous job every year in making sure that consumers get to buy genuine products that are not going to damage their health.

“I’m also proud of the fact that in doing this we are contributing to a reduction in the global exploitation of poor and vulnerable workers.”

The trading standards team will be on the hunt for knock-off stock - which ranges from clothing and cosmetics to wigs - in shops and markets, as well as keeping a close eye on the Internet and classified advertisements in newspapers.

Anyone who suspects they have bought a fake item can contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040 506.