Fiorentina have partnered with Genuino to use blockchain technology to identify official team shirts and stop counterfeiting, reports, www.sportspromedia.com/.

The tie up, which Fiorentina say is the first of its kind for a soccer club, was initially trialed last month, where shirts worn by players during Serie A games were fitted with a special chip and combined with a unique blockchain code to prove authenticity.

Further plans for the project will be presented at a world preview during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas later this month, ahead of an expected wider release for shirts featuring the technology.

Joe Barone, Fiorentina general manager, said: "This project marks an important step for a club like Fiorentina, which aims to be at the forefront of innovation. The Genuino solution offers a unique product and service that will allow us to certify and authenticate the sweaters of our members.

"And not only that, it can also give life, in perspective, to an ecosystem functional to fight counterfeiting, involving our fans in a new shopping experience and interaction with the club."