IPPro The Internet Issue 143

World Cup
Lifting the counterfeit cup
This year’s World Cup is taking place in Russia, and with the tournament
comes criminals peddling counterfeits of every kind. This is one aspect of
the beautiful game that needs a counter attack
Ben Wodecki reports
Since its inception, FIFA’s World Cup has brought some memorable
moments: the ‘Hand of God’, that Zidane headbutt, and the battle
of Nuremberg.
But this year it’s the memorabilia, rather than the memories, causing
concern all over the globe.
The tournament is an ideal target for illegal stream suppliers, ticket
touts, and counterfeiters. Jumpers, hats and sticker books are just
some of the products produced by opportunistic counterfeiters.
According to Statista, FIFA invests over $1.9 billion into each
tournament, and earns $204.4 million from licensing rights alone,
making it a lucrative business opportunity for counterfeiters looking
to make a quick buck.
FIFA’s all time World Cup records show that the last tournament saw
an average crowd of 52,918 attendees. The next tournament will see
stadiums like the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow and St. Petersburg’s
Krestovsky Stadium, which can hold up to 81,000 and 68,000
viewers, respectively.
With that size and scope, FIFA must be ready to protect everything
from the tournament balls to the tournament mascot.
19 IPPro The Internet www.ipprotheinternet.com