Ebay bootlegger sells fake watches with Scots gangs names

Oct 12 2008 By Raymond Hainey

A DESIGNER fashion label has been hijacked by bootleggers using their logo on watches for football thugs.

Stone Island are furious after their name and distinctive compass crest were used to celebrate Rangers, Aberdeen and Motherwell casuals.

The Italian firm are probing the £13.99 jewellery being sold on eBay and could sue.

Other watches on the site are designed for Celtic and Chelsea casuals.

The seller boasts that hooligans will "never be late for a fight again".

Rangers and Celtic last night threatened to sue the makers for abusing their names.

A Stone Island insider said they would ask eBay for the seller's identity and take legal action for breach of copyright.

Expensive Stone Island clothes are a long-time favourite label for casuals.

The gangs named on the Stone Island-style timepieces include Motherwell Saturday Service and Aberdeen Soccer Casuals.

Celtic Soccer Crew and Rangers' Inter City Firm feature on other watches. Others include a Cardiff City Soul Crew design - which has the Stone Island logo - and one for the notorious Chelsea Headhunters.

The seller says: "I am the only seller who has these and had them specially made for all football hooligans.

"These could become one of the most collectable and rarest hooligan items out there in a few years' time."

Last night Celtic said: "We thank the Sunday Mail for bringing this to our attention.

"We would never condone any item or product which promotes violence of any kind.

"The club will also take legal action over any item or product which infringes our trademarks and copyright, which includes the name Celtic."

Rangers insiders estimate the club lose at least £4million a year from dodgy counterfeit goods.

A spokesman said: "This is a clear infringement of our trademark that is being used to glorify football violence and cannot be condoned."

It is understood that officials have contacted all the clubs on the eBay page to tell them their trademarks are being misused.

Stone Island said: "This is definitely not the kind of thing we want to be associated with.

We take any unauthorised use of our logo very seriously.

"Our investigations department will look into this."

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