HUNDREDS of counterfeit goods including hats and scarves have been uncovered by trading standards bosses outside Burnley FC’s ground.

The operation, outside Turf Moor, on Wednesday (December 5), resulted in the seizure of 349 counterfeit items.

They were confiscated from two stalls by officers from Lancashire County Council’s trading standards service.

Counterfeit goods seized included items bearing Burnley, Manchester United, Liverpool and other Premier League trademarks.

It follows a trading standards operation on Burnley town centre shops and stalls in summer 2018

This saw 455 counterfeit Burnley FC and Premier League items, ranging from shirts to iPad covers, seized from three retailers.

It comes after Burnley FC identified a problem with a number of determined counterfeit sellers outside the ground on match days.

They called on the trading standards service to assist and the operation was carried out outside the ground before Burnley’s game against Liverpool on December 5.

All goods seized have been signed over for destruction and warnings issued on the understanding that the operation will be carried out again later in the season and that next time stronger action may be taken.

Trading standards have warned sellers that those found selling counterfeit goods can be prosecuted and may receive an unlimited fine or a 10-year jail sentence under the Trade Marks Act 1994.

County councillor Albert Atkinson, deputy leader of Lancashire County Council, urged fans to support the club they love by buying genuine items.

Cllr Atkinson said: “Trading Standards advise that consumers should examine items to check whether they’re the real thing.

“Look for genuine packaging and labels, check the quality of fabric, printing and labels, and watch for spelling mistakes.”

A spokesman for the Premier League said: “The Premier League and the clubs are committed to reducing the trade in counterfeit merchandise and are hugely appreciative of the support from Lancashire Trading Standards.”

Every year football fans in the UK spend millions of pounds on scarves, badges and other memorabilia, with the profit from these sales helping their clubs to buy the best players and compete with their rivals.

However, counterfeit football memorabilia is big business and is a growing problem for both fans and football clubs.

Sales of counterfeit memorabilia brings downsides for everyone in football.

For fans, the products are usually of poorer quality, with no chance of getting a refund if there is a fault.

While for the club, rip-off products reduce their income and potential to invest in the team.

No-tax counterfeit goods also have a negative effect on the UK economy and contribute to the loss of jobs. And most counterfeit goods come in from China where they are made in unregulated sweatshops.

Anyone with concerns about the sale of counterfeit goods can contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06.