// CMA launches probe over the price of replica football kits and potential “anti-competitive behaviour”
// Greaves Sports & JD Sports will be under investigation, as will manufacturers Rangers FC and Hummel
The UK competition watchdog has launched an investigation into sportswear retailers over the price of replica football kits.
The CMA has today confirmed it has opened an initial inquiry into potential “anti-competitive behaviour”.
It said it is probing Rangers FC and Hummel, which manufactures the club’s kit, as well as retailers Greaves Sports and JD Sports.
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The CMA said the investigation process, which could take up to 18 months, will look into suspected breaches of competition law.
“At this stage the CMA believes that it has reasonable grounds to suspect one or more breaches of competition law,” the CMA said.
“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 JD Sports spokesman said: “We are co-operating 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 £90 million acquisition of rival Footasylum was reversed by the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
with PA Wires
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