// JD Sports and Elite Sports have been fined a total of more than £2 million by the competition watchdog after it found they fixed the prices of replica football kits.
// In accordance with the CMA’s standard terms of the settlement, JD will not be appealing against this penalty
JD Sports, Elite Sports and Ranges FC have been fined a total of mover £2 million by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) after being found guilty of price fixing on official merchandise.
An investigation by the CMA found that both Elite Sports and JD Sports broke competition law by fixing the retail prices of a number of Rangers-branded replica kits and other clothing products from September 2018 to July 2019.
Elite Sports has been fined £459,000, JD Sports £1,485,000 and Rangers £225,000. The penalties include a settlement discount, reflecting resource savings to the CMA as a result of all 3 parties admitting to acting illegally and helping bring a swifter resolution to the CMA’s investigation.
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Elite Sports’ and JD Sports’ penalties also include a discount for coming forward with information about their participation in the illegal conduct and cooperating with the investigation under the CMA’s Leniency Programme.
In accordance with the CMA’s standard terms of settlement, JD will not be appealing against the penalty.
CMA Executive Director of Enforcement Michael Grenfell said: “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.
“Instead, Elite, JD Sports and, to some extent, Rangers, worked together to keep prices high.
“Today’s decision sends a clear message to football clubs and other businesses that illegal anti-competitive collusion will not be tolerated.”
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