ENGLAND fans have been warned not to fall foul of the football fakes at next week's crunch game against Macedonia in Southampton.

The Football Association and Southampton's Trading Standards team are telling fans to be on their guard when buying England shirts, scarves, hats and other souvenirs.

Today, Saints legend Matt Le Tissier and city council Cabinet member for environment and transport Richard Williams will unveil recent examples of fake England merchandise at the St Mary's Stadium.

The sale of poor-quality counterfeit England merchandise is a problem whenever and wherever the national side plays and next week's Euro 2004 qualifier was expected to be no exception.

Trading Standards' three-step checklist for fans buying FA England merchandise is:

Take a good look at the packaging

Take a good look at the quality of the product.

Remember that pubs, car boot sales or temporary street stalls are unlikely to be official suppliers.

Genuine England products are available from high street retailers and on the day of the match from the FA's official marquees, which will be set up outside the stadium's Kingsland stand.

Councillor Williams said: "Our message to fans is don't be sold a dummy when it comes to counterfeit kit.

"Southampton's Trading Standards team are in the front line in the fight against fakes.

"As a city we will do all we can to ensure England and Macedonia fans enjoy their stay in our city - and that includes cracking down on the rip-off merchants."