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Counterfeit kits taken off UK streets during the World Cup(Image: City of Edinburgh Council)

Britain faces a fake football shirt crisis after half of all fans admitted they cannot afford to buy a real one from their favourite club. New data found 49% of Premier League supporters are unable to buy an authentic football shirt due to high prices.

A similar percentage of followers of teams in the English Football League - the nation’s second tier - are in the same boat. That is pushing supporters towards buying counterfeit kits which could be killers.

Though many are a fraction of the price of real ones tests have shown they can be flammable and contain poisons such as arsenic and lead.

Jerry Lawton shows the fake shirt (left) and the official shirt (right) to a counterfeit expert

Clubs including Spurs are charging £156 for a replica home shirt. Research for internet game site FootyComps.com found millions of supporters have purchased fake kits to save cash.

A quarter of Premier League fans have bought a bogus shirt from an unofficial website. The poll found Manchester City supporters were the most likely to go fake.

Many have bought bogus shirts for children. More than a third have searched second-hand sites such as Vinted for older authentic shirts instead of new ones.

Counterfeit football jerseys and kits seized by trading standards officers in Scotland(Image: City of Edinburgh Council)

Eight top-flight clubs - including Chelsea and Bournemouth - have come under fire this week over increased kit prices. Despite financial pressures 55% of fans said they would not buy bogus on health and safety grounds.

Most have not undergone the same rigorous safety checks as real ones. Simon Pilkington, co-founder of FootyComps.com , said: “The prices of football kits today are astonishing so it’s no wonder that fans are choosing to buy fake shirts.

“I don’t fancy spending £150 on a new top and I understand why several fans won’t want to either. This doesn’t mean there aren’t risks buying cheap, replica tops. A shirt for just £13 sounds appealing but prices are this low for a reason.”

He said counterfeit shirts were a ‘fire hazard’. “I would say that buying one is simply not a risk worth taking,” he said. “If you’re keen to grab your team’s latest kit ahead of the new season there are a few safer ways to cut costs.

“Clubs do offer replica football shirts at a lower price. They’re not necessarily cheap - some still cost as much as £90 - but you will save yourself a few quid. I’d also recommend checking UK-based football kit websites.

“They’ll likely offer cheaper, replica kits, but they’ll be made within UK regulations, which means they’re less likely to contain dangerous materials. And don’t forget authentic shirts are available at a cheaper price.

“If you’re not too bothered about wearing the latest shirt, many clubs are offering last season’s kits now at a discount. “Or if you really want a new kit you can also wait until midway through the season when prices start to go down.”