Watchdog to probe Rangers and retailers over replica kits

The Competition and Markets Authority confirmed it has opened an initial inquiry into potential 'anti-competitive behaviour'.

STV News

16th Dec 2020

The UK competition watchdog has launched an investigation into Rangers FC and sportswear retailers over the price of replica football kits.

On Wednesday, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) confirmed it has opened an initial inquiry into potential “anti-competitive behaviour”.

It said it is probing Rangers and Hummel, which used to manufacture the club’s kit, as well as retailers Greaves Sports and JD Sports.

The investigation process, which is expected to take six months, will look into suspected breaches of competition law, it said.

The regulator said: “At this stage the CMA believes that it has reasonable grounds to suspect one or more breaches of competition law.

“The CMA has not reached a view as to whether there is sufficient evidence of an infringement of competition law for it to issue a statement of objections or, ultimately, an infringement decision, to any party under investigation.”

It stressed that not all investigations lead to objections or an infringement decision by the CMA.

A spokesman for JD Sports said: “We are cooperating fully with the investigation and are unable to comment further at this time.”

It is the latest investigation into JD Sports by the CMA, coming just weeks after the watchdog’s decision to block the company’s £90m acquisition of rival Footasylum was reversed by the Competition Appeal Tribunal.