HispanicBusiness

Pele, the biggest name in the history of football, has signed up with an outfit based at a small business park in Hertfordshire, England.

Sportsrabilia, the official licence holder for the England football team's memorabilia, has reached a four-and-a-half-year global deal with Pele over the Brazilian star's signature for an undisclosed sum.

Danny Schindler, chief executive of Sportsrabilia in Elstree, said it was vital that the use of signatures and the authenticity of memorabilia was regulated.

"The black market is prospering, conning consumers with fake authentication and naturally players and clubs are becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of control," he said.

Meanwhile, the official licensee for London 2012 memorabilia, Innovative Sports Limited, has a team of 80 people busy authenticating memorabilia from this year's Olympics.