Soccer Fakes/Reprints? (PSA Graded) - 2000 Panini Fotboll Ibrahimovic

[Dragnet]

Recently purchased a 2000 Panini Fotboll Zlatan Ibrahmivoc RC, sold as authentic, which to my untrained eye, certainly appears to be a reprint. If true, this wouldn't be the first time these have been produced for top tier rookies. In this case, it appears one from this same batch has received a PSA 10 (see: https://www.pwccmarketplace.com/items/1988529). Indeed, it can be said that this isn't the first reprint to have made it through PSA, as a known reprint of the 1974 Ageducatifs Platini is likely to have done the same (see: https://forums.collectors.com/discus...mment_12085711)

I've scanned both an original (known to have come from a sealed set and unquestionably authentic), along with the culprit. Both were scanned at the same resolution, with the same settings. I also included an identical cropped (and scaled) section from both, showing the difference in appearance (the original appears to be dot printed, the fake looks very very pixelated).

I'm interested to hear what you think, and if I ought to alert PWCC and PSA to this.

Authentic Front:


Questionable Front:


Authentic Front Zoom:


Questionable Front Zoom:


Authentic Back:


Questionable Back:


Authentic Back Zoom:


Questionable Back Zoom:

[Anish]

I think from your own research you have your answer. Nicely done 👍🏽

[thelimey]

You should definitely contact PSA & PWCC. I got burned on a raw Platini copy last year, once in hand I thought the blurry text on the back was a dead giveaway. I can't understand how a professional grading firm can not spot that sign. Out of interest where did this come from?

[samosa4u]

I wouldn't be surprised if he bought them from Italy.

Here is the thread I started a while back on this topic:

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=259768

[Peter_Spaeth]

Post it on Blowout also, I think.

[Dragnet]

I have posted on Blowout and CU forums. This came from eBay, though the seller says he purchased from Italy, as has been alluded to above.. I don't think the eBay seller is at fault here, so I will refrain from posting his information. He provided a full refund immediately. I plan to contact PSA and PWCC about this as soon as I have the chance.

[Copa7]

Ha. I've been posting about PSA tomfoolery for years. They know nothing about soccer and anyone buying PSA soccer items gets what they deserve. I stopped warning collectors a while back.

Several years ago, PSA was offered access to museum archives for one of the largest soccer card collections .... They turned it down.

I know of no one at PSA who has experience in the soccer market. Shooting from the hip cannot be a way to assess a million dollar industry.

Good luck.

[Dragnet]

Copa, curious if you prefer any of the other grading companies, or if you think they are just as bad. I agree that PSA needs to step it up in terms of making the right hires and decisions when it comes to Futbol/Soccer related collectibles, this is something I've felt for years.