Liverpool FC has launched a campaign against online retailers selling unauthorized merchandise that utilizes the club's protected trade marks. The move follows reports of counterfeit shirts being sold through the website "From Palestine to the World," which feature modified versions of the iconic club crest.
In the case of Liverpool FC, the altered crest includes the initials "P.L.C.," which have been identified as a reference to the Palestine Legislative Council. This action follows an alert issued on 26 October 2026 by the organization "UK Lawyers for Israel" (UKLFI) to four Premier League clubs regarding potential trade mark infringements. The issue was also highlighted in an online report by "Jewish News" on 5 November.
Other Premier League clubs have faced similar challenges. Manchester United, for example, identified shirts combining its club crest with the slogan "Manchester with Gaza" and a dove of peace carrying an olive branch. The club has since referred this information to its brand protection department.
The underlying legal concern involves potential breaches of the Trade Marks Act 1994. While political expression and support for Palestine are protected under UK law, legal experts note that this protection does not grant individuals the right to use protected club crests or logos without authorization. Furthermore, clubs are concerned that fans may mistakenly identify these items as official merchandise, potentially leading to the false attribution of political stances to the clubs that they have not officially adopted.
