A Mauritanian man has been ordered by the court to pay for the expenses incurred for the disposal of a container carrying counterfeit footballs.

The accused, Jiddou Mohamed, was sued by UEFA for theft of intellectual property rights.

Judge Mark Chetcuti heard how last summer, during an inspection by the Controller of Customs at the Malta Freeport, found 14 boxes containing 336 balls bearing the Champions League trademark. Another 10 boxes containing 240 balls bearing the Euro 2016 logo were also found in the search. 

The counterfeit footballs arrived at the Malta Freeport on 28 July 2016, aboard the CMA CGM Norma.

Samples taken from the container proved that the counterfeit products were manufactured and exported without the authority of Unilever NV, the legitimate manufacturer.

UEFA, represented by Peter Fenech, is the lawful owner of the trademark registered with the EU Intellectual Property Office and had produced valid documents and evidence to prove its claim.

The court upheld the plaintiff's request and ordered the disposal of all the counterfeit products within 90 days from the date of the judgment.