The scarves have divided opinion among fans, but now traders have just a few games to sell all remaining stock before they're gone for good
Chelsea FC have won a court decision to trademark the word 'Chelsea' on clothing items and will start a crackdown on unofficial merchandise sold by traders outside the ground on matchdays.
The word 'Chelsea' is now trademarked in Class 25 - which covers clothing, replica football kits and headgear - but in a letter to traders Hammersmith and Fulham council specified scarves being sold outside Stamford Bridge would fall under the ruling.
It means half-and-half scarves, also known as friendship scarves, which are popular with tourists but hated by many fans, bearing Chelsea's name can no longer be sold by street traders outside of Stamford Bridge, unless they gain permission from the football club.
The scarves, which feature one club's colours and name on one half and that of their opponents on the other half, are unpopular with many who resent their clubs attracting tourist visitors instead of loyal, die-hard fans who would never sport the colours of rival clubs.
Mike Hewitt/Getty Images[https://cdn]
The scarves are popular with tourists and young children
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Watch Antonio Conte put Chelsea through their paces at Stamford Bridge as West Ham clash draws near
Traders, who pay £1,500 a year for their pitch, have been given three games to sell off their existing stock, starting with Monday's (August 15) league opener against West Ham.
The letter which was sent out by the council to traders read: "Any new merchandise including friendship scarves must comply with the requirements of the new trademarks and must not use the word 'Chelsea' without permission from Chelsea FC the trademark owners."
It is not yet clear if Chelsea have plans to produce their own half-and-half scarves in the future, but at this moment in time there are none stocked in the superstore
Chelsea FC have won a court decision to trademark the word 'Chelsea' on clothing items and will start a crackdown on unofficial merchandise sold by traders outside the ground on matchdays.
The word 'Chelsea' is now trademarked in Class 25 - which covers clothing, replica football kits and headgear - but in a letter to traders Hammersmith and Fulham council specified scarves being sold outside Stamford Bridge would fall under the ruling.
It means half-and-half scarves, also known as friendship scarves, which are popular with tourists but hated by many fans, bearing Chelsea's name can no longer be sold by street traders outside of Stamford Bridge, unless they gain permission from the football club.
The scarves, which feature one club's colours and name on one half and that of their opponents on the other half, are unpopular with many who resent their clubs attracting tourist visitors instead of loyal, die-hard fans who would never sport the colours of rival clubs.
Mike Hewitt/Getty Images[https://cdn]
The scarves are popular with tourists and young children
Read More
Watch Antonio Conte put Chelsea through their paces at Stamford Bridge as West Ham clash draws near
Traders, who pay £1,500 a year for their pitch, have been given three games to sell off their existing stock, starting with Monday's (August 15) league opener against West Ham.
The letter which was sent out by the council to traders read: "Any new merchandise including friendship scarves must comply with the requirements of the new trademarks and must not use the word 'Chelsea' without permission from Chelsea FC the trademark owners."
It is not yet clear if Chelsea have plans to produce their own half-and-half scarves in the future, but at this moment in time there are none stocked in the superstore
