WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao Football Federation (FFK) is warning football fans not to buy unofficial Curaçao national team jerseys after what the federation says is a deliberate leak of fake home shirt designs aimed at boosting illegal merchandise sales.
FFK president Gilbert Martina says the images currently circulating on social media are not the official new home jersey of the Curaçao national team.
According to Martina, the real home kit will only be officially unveiled on May 24.
He claims illegal traders are intentionally spreading fake jersey designs online to create early demand and start selling counterfeit shirts before the official launch.
Martina says the strategy is not new.
According to the FFK chairman, the same tactic was previously used with Curaçao’s away jersey, when unofficial designs were circulated and counterfeit products quickly appeared on the market.
He said the federation is prepared to act against illegal sales.
Once counterfeit products become available, the FFK works together with legal advisers and attorneys to take action against unauthorized sellers.
The federation says the growing international popularity of Curaçao football is making the national team’s merchandise more attractive to counterfeiters.
Interest in Curaçao’s jerseys has increased significantly as the island gains more global attention through its World Cup qualification campaign and recent international football exposure.
Martina believes the illegal trade is being driven purely by commercial profit, taking advantage of the excitement surrounding the national team.
He pointed to the popularity of Curaçao’s current away shirt, which has drawn praise from football fans internationally.
“It is the result of being the smallest country with the best away jersey at the World Cup,” Martina said.
The FFK is urging supporters to wait for the official launch and to buy only through authorized channels to avoid counterfeit products and to ensure that proceeds support the national football program.
The official presentation of the new Curaçao home jersey is expected to take place later this month as anticipation continues to build among supporters.