AFC Leopards clamp down on illegal sale of replica jerseys

Kenyan Premier League giants AFC Leopards have moved to seal illegal sale of club merchandise estimated to be worth Sh75 million annually.

Leopards have effectively banned sale of any merchandise bearing the club’s name or logo. In a press statement on Friday, club chairman Dan Mule insisted club officials have not sanctioned anyone to sell club merchandise on their behalf.

This development comes in the wake of reports suggesting a group of traders working with the club’s former officials have imported thousands of replica jerseys, which they plan to sell to supporters in time for the start of the 2017 SportPesa Premier League season.

“A report of the unsanctioned replica jerseys has been made to the anti-counterfeit authority and to the CID for investigation and apprehension of those involved.” said Mule, adding, “We urge our members to be vigilant and report any suspicious sale of the club’s branded merchandise to any club official or to the secretariat.”

Contacted, the club’s treasurer Oliver Imbenzi confirmed that the club has been losing millions of shillings in revenue through the scam.

He said: “They have been selling upto 50,000 jerseys each year, at a cost of Sh1,500 per jersey yet we don’t receive a single cent and the club continue to struggle financially.”