Qatar's DCI seizes 144 fake World Cup trophies, suspects arrested

Authorities in Qatar have confiscated 144 fake World Cup trophies.

The trophies were seized by Qatar's Economic and Cyber Crimes Combating Department at the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation, in cooperation with the Intellectual Property Protection Committee.

In a statement published by the Qatar Ministry of Interior, Qatar said that officers had acted on information about a website "that promotes the sale of cups that mimic the true shape of the World Cup."

The ministry, however, did not indicate the number of suspects arrested in connection with the matter.

The issue comes months after FIFA published several awareness messages regarding the use of intellectual property rights related to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 without obtaining prior written consent.

In June this year, Qatar warned its drivers against having a World Cup Logo on their car number plates.

In July, five suspects were arrested by police in Qatar after they were caught selling counterfeit clothes with the World Cup logo.

Qatar has now urged football fans attending the World Cup tournament in November and December to abide by the laws and regulations governing intellectual property.

The World Cup is the biggest football tournament, this year it kicks off on November 20 at the historic Al Bayt Stadium in Doha, in a match between Qatar and Ecuador.