Clubs sometimes have to step in and protect players, including banning professional hunters from operating outside training grounds, providing security staff at nearby petrol stations where hunters know players stop to fill up their cars, and in some cases helping escort them home. In 2023 Manchester United's Mason Mount was filmed telling hunters to stop following him home after they had done so on consecutive days. They stand outside the BBC studio and ask me to sign 12 number nine shirts all at once. "It's so annoying that the intention is to make money out of players and other high-profile people. "It's out of order as genuine autograph hunters must get fed up with these imposters who are doing it for the wrong reasons.

Source: BBC March 23, 2026 14:32 UTC