Premier League managers like Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola have confronted aggressive autograph hunters who follow them to sign items for resale. Players feel exposed and targeted, with clubs implementing security measures to protect stars from persistent hunters who approach them at homes, training grounds, and petrol stations.

The sports memorabilia industry generates billions of pounds annually, yet remains plagued by fraud. Former players like Chris Sutton note genuine fans suffer when imposters flood players with requests. A 2018 case saw someone jailed for six years after earning over £1m from fake signed items.

Women's football stars also report entitlement from fans expecting signatures. Phil Jagielka recalls confrontations with hunters bringing multiple identical cards. With autograph verification unregulated in the UK, even expensive purchases offer no guarantee of authenticity, leaving players frustrated and fans potentially deceived.