The invention relates to a universal removal device enabling a footware item having a very short or very long upper from one or two moulds (28) side by side and at different heights with a normal inclination of the foot and a normal heel. The inventive device consists of two vertical belts (1) and (2) which pinch the foot of the item in order to extract it while remaining rotationally fixed with displacement according to the axis A-A' of the foot, in order to subsequently tilt the belt (38) with the aid of fingers (58) and (59). The rotation of the belts (1), (2), (38) and (66) and the simultaneous elevation of the fingers (58) and (59) at the same speed completes the removal of articles of any length without folds or tensing occurring. The inventive removal device is used, in particular, on machines which are used to form socks and tights.