JD Sports Fashion PLC, Elite Sports and Rangers FC were fined more than a combined £2mln by the competition watchdog for colluding and fixing the prices of replica football kits.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) fined JD £1.49mln, Elite £459,000 and Rangers £225,000 for fixing retail prices of Rangers short-sleeved kits and other clothing items.
JD and Elite colluded from September 2018 to July 2019, while the Scottish football club took part for approximately two months until November 2018.
Elite made Rangers clothing at the time sold via its online store and later in physical ones in Belfast and Glasgow, while JD was the only UK-wide major retailer to have kits available at the time.
The CMA said Rangers became worried that, at the beginning of the season, JD was selling its replica top for a cheaper price than Elite, which led to an agreement between those involved that JD would up its price to £60 from £55 to match Elite’s asking tag.
The two retailers, without the Glaswegian side’s involvement, fixed the prices of its branded clothing over a longer period.
Michael Grenfell, CMA executive director of enforcement, commented: “At a time when many people are worried about the rising cost of living, it is important that football fans are able to benefit from competitively priced merchandise.
“Today’s decision sends a clear message to football clubs and other businesses that illegal anti-competitive collusion will not be tolerated.”