Veteran reveals huge sums being made outside grounds
“It is very difficult for trading standards departments to target these people because they do not have the staff or the resources that they had in the past. “There is a priority to target people involved in a scam or where there is a threat to the public safety – but less priority if that same person is selling a scarf outside Parkhead or Ibrox. ”The clubs are then left to take their own steps to stop the traders but that can be very expensive.” Crown Off ice and Glasgow City Council officials last week denied they had stopped prose c ut ing traders who sell fake club goods. A Crown Office spokesman said: “The Crown has a presumption in favour of prosecution of the cases reported to us where there is suff icient admissible evidence in law to raise criminal proceedings.”
Glasgow City Council added: “Our Trading Standards team works with a wide range of partners – including the owners of trademarks – to tackle infringements. Where sufficient evidence is available, this can result in prosecution.”
A police spokesman said: “Police Scotland works with a number of partners including Trading Standards, Federation Against Copy Right Theft and the ACG to tackle counterfeit goods and those who choose to sell them.
“Some individuals involved in the making and selling of counterfeit goods are also involved with serious and organised crime groups.”
Rangers declined to comment and Celtic did not respond to our request.