How to Spot an Authentic Football Shirt: A Simple Guide

Know how to distinguish fake from real and never fall into the hands of scammers ever again.

Stefan Haas

Founder

Sun, 6 Oct 2024

In today's world, it’s easy to get your hands on replica football shirts, especially from places like China. However, this ease comes with its own set of problems, as scammers often try to pass these replicas off as genuine. If you're new to the world of football shirts, it can be difficult to spot a fake, and you could end up paying big money for something that isn’t authentic.

As the owner of a vintage football shirt webstore, I handle hundreds of new shirts every month. Over the years, I've developed a reliable method for authenticating football shirts, and today, I’ll share with you the easiest steps to identify a genuine shirt so you don’t fall victim to any scams.

1. Check the Authenticity Labels

The first and most straightforward way to check if a football shirt is authentic is to examine its authenticity labels. Every genuine shirt comes with a product code or Manufacturer Part Number (MPN) on the label. You can type this code into Google, and if images of the exact shirt you’re holding appear, it's likely to be genuine.

For Nike jerseys, you’ll typically find this code under the wash labels, while for Adidas shirts, it’s located underneath the collar. In this example, the code you need to search (AJ5531-728) on a Nike shirt from recent years is located under the size (in this case 'S'). On Adidas shirts this code (AI6716) is located underneath the production date (01/16). In shirts from before 2010 there are other tags, and so other codes. I'll cover this extensively in another blog.

3. Inspect the Size Label

Still unsure whether the shirt is real or fake? Another great step is to look at the size label. Search online for a verified listing of the authentic version of the shirt you have and compare its size label to yours. Replicas are often manufactured in different countries than the originals, and this is a detail you can easily spot on the size label.

Also, take into account the age of the shirt. If it’s from the '90s or early 2000s, the size label should show signs of wear and tear due to its age. If the label looks too pristine for a shirt that’s over 20 years old, it’s often a red flag that it’s a fake.

The difference in size label on an authentic Arsenal Highbury 2005/6 Home Shirt (left) and a fake (right).

4. Compare Key Details

If you’ve followed all the steps but still have doubts, it’s time to get into the finer details. Compare your shirt with pictures of the authentic version available online. Focus on key features such as the club badge, manufacturer logo, wash labels, and buttons (if applicable). Small inconsistencies in these details can be a strong indication that a shirt is a replica.

Take the Manchester United 2022/23 home shirt, for example. In some cases, the differences between the real and fake versions can be quite obvious, like in the quality of the logos. However, some fakes are so good that you’ll need to inspect every small detail closely to be sure.

The difference in Club logo on an authentic Manchester United 2022/23 Home Shirt (left) and a fake (right).

Conclusion

Spotting an authentic football shirt may seem tricky at first, but by following these steps, you can avoid falling for scams. Always start with the authenticity labels and the unique codes, then work your way through the size label and other specific details. By staying vigilant and comparing every part of the shirt, you can ensure that you're getting what you paid for and avoid losing money to fakes.

Happy collecting, and remember, the devil is in the details!

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