Store removes Andrew Tate shirts sold in children’s sizes

Veljekset Keskinen, a department store in Tuuri, sold children’s shirts featuring social media influencer Andrew Tate, Yle reports. The shirts were marketed in sizes for children aged 9 to 13.

Tate is accused of rape, human trafficking and other violent offences. The store’s owner, Vesa Keskinen, told Yle that the shirts had been removed from sale after what he called a human error.

Yle found the shirts on sale in the children’s clothing section on Thursday. They featured Tate wearing a shirt bearing the phrase “erm what the sigma”, a meme expressing surprise, roughly meaning “what the hell”. It was not clear whether the shirt mocked Tate or was intended as fan merchandise.

The sweatshirts were available in at least two sizes, for children aged about 9 to 11 and 11 to 13. Keskinen said he had been told that three products were involved and that he was not familiar with Tate.

Several other meme shirts were displayed on the same rack, suggesting they may have been acquired in the same shipment. It was not known whether the products had been sourced through a wholesaler or directly from a Polish company. Yle had not independently verified that the shirts had been removed.

Responsibility lies with the retailer

Anniina Nurmi, head of responsibility at Eetti, an association promoting sustainable and ethical business and consumption, said retailers are responsible for the products they order for their stores.

“Those responsible for ordering must know what products are being put up for sale. It seems that the company’s purchasing practices are not particularly ambitious. Ultimately, responsibility lies with the management,” Nurmi said.

Products of this kind generally reach Finland either directly from the brand or through wholesale distribution. Nurmi said Eetti had not received reports of similar cases.

Tate faces dozens of allegations

Andrew Tate is a British-American former professional kickboxer who became famous for social media content promoting what Yle describes as toxic masculinity. He has openly boasted about his misogynistic views and has been associated with the so-called manosphere, a network of online communities focused on men’s rights and criticism of feminism.

Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan Tate are suspected of dozens of crimes. They were arrested in Romania in 2022, where they were accused of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

In July, the brothers were arrested in Miami. They face charges including rape, human trafficking and assault. According to the BBC, the latest charges also refer to child pornography images. Andrew Tate faces 42 charges alone. Both men have denied the allegations.