Liverpool Football Club has confirmed that it is taking action against unauthorised Palestine-themed football shirts bearing altered versions of its famous crest, after UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) raised concerns about the use of Premier League clubs’ branding for political campaigning.
UKLFI wrote to Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea on 25 October 2026, warning that shirts being sold online appeared to imitate the clubs’ official kits while incorporating pro-Palestinian political messages.
All four clubs responded to UKLFI’s correspondence, with Liverpool confirming that it was already taking enforcement action.
Liverpool FC’s Manager of Brand Protection, told UKLFI:
“We are aware of the products in question and have already been taking action in relation to them. This includes reporting the relevant listings and content to website hosts and social media platforms on the basis of trade mark infringement.”
He added that Liverpool would continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate steps to protect its intellectual property rights.
Manchester United confirmed that it had referred UKLFI’s concerns to its Brand Protection Team. Chelsea said that the matter had been forwarded to the relevant department. Manchester City also acknowledged UKLFI’s letter.
The shirts are being marketed by a business trading as “From Palestine to the World”, through the website freepltn.com and social media.
The Liverpool version features a modified Liver bird emblem with the initials “P.L.C.” replacing “L.F.C.”, while the Manchester United version incorporates an altered club crest bearing the words “WITH GAZA”.
Manchester City’s famous sky-blue kit has been imitated with a modified crest reading “MANCHESTER WITH GAZA” and the words “PALESTINE AIRWAYS” displayed across the chest in place of conventional sponsor branding.
The Chelsea version features an altered lion crest bearing the words “PALESTINE CLUB”, accompanied by promotional messaging declaring: “FROM EUROPEAN GLORY TO A GREATER CAUSE. STAND WITH PALESTINE.”
According to website traffic estimates cited by UKLFI, freepltn.com received more than 465,000 visits between July and September 2026, approximately 30% of them from the UK.
UKLFI warned that the shirts could mislead consumers into believing that the clubs had authorised the products or endorsed their political messages.
Its letters raised concerns about potential breaches of the Trade Marks Act 1994 and possible passing off, as well as the risk of reputational damage, commercial consequences and alienating Jewish, Israeli and other supporters.
UKLFI argued that although individuals and organisations are entitled to express political opinions, including support for Palestine, this does not entitle them to appropriate another organisation’s protected intellectual property.
A UKLFI spokesperson said:
“Liverpool FC deserves credit for taking action to protect its brand from being exploited for political campaigning.
Football clubs have millions of supporters from different backgrounds and with different political views. Their names, crests and reputations should not be hijacked to promote a divisive political cause.
These shirts risk misleading fans into believing their clubs endorse a political position which they have not adopted. We welcome the responses from all four clubs and hope that Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea will follow Liverpool’s lead in taking effective action against the unauthorised merchandise.”