British Designer Alleges Beerschot Football Club Stole Shirt Design

## Beerschot Responds to Plagiarism Accusations

Belgian football club Beerschot has officially addressed allegations of plagiarism related to its new football shirt. The claims come from London-based designer Diana al Shammari, who accuses the club of mirroring her floral design.

### Who is Diana al Shammari?

Known on Instagram as ‘thefootballgal,’ al Shammari specializes in embellishing football jerseys with intricate embroidery. She has worked with notable teams such as the Belgian Red Devils, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and Adidas. Recently, a design reminiscent of her work appeared on Beerschot’s jersey, prompting her to believe copying may have occurred.

### The Exchange on Social Media

Al Shammari took to Beerschot’s initial Instagram post unveiling the new shirt to express her concerns. In response, the CEO of Nova, the company responsible for the shirt’s production, engaged in a dialogue. They indicated that they had attempted to reach out to al Shammari for collaboration but received no response, leading them to proceed with their own design.

### Beerschot’s Perspective

Beerschot has released an official statement countering the plagiarism claims. The club insists that the shirt’s design was created independently and was not influenced by any specific external designs.

> “This shirt originated during an internal design meeting. It was inspired by Antwerp’s rich fashion heritage and its celebrated designers. Floral patterns have long been a staple in Antwerp’s fashion scene, notably seen in the works of Dries Van Noten and other globally recognized designers.”

Additionally, the club highlights the significance of the purple violet on the shirt, representing Beerschot. They assert that the end product is an original creation drawing inspiration from various influences without specific copying.

### The Legal Implications

At this moment, it remains uncertain if al Shammari will pursue legal action if a resolution is not reached. Her stance suggests that the situation may escalate, and her intentions are being closely monitored by both sides.

What do you think about the balance between inspiration and plagiarism in design?