JD Sports escapes fine over Leicester City merch deal
In an official announcement, the CMA announced that the sports retailer reported the conduct and benefits from immunity to any fine under the CMA’s leniency programme
JD Sports has managed to avoid a fine despite having broken competition law with Leicester City FC, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) stated yesterday.
In an official announcement, the CMA announced that a £880,000 fine has been imposed on Leicester City FC Limited, King Power International Co. Limited and V & A Holding Co. Limited. The penalty includes a discount to reflect the fact that these parties have settled the case with the CMA.
However, JD Sports reported the conduct to the CMA and benefits from immunity to any fine under the CMA’s leniency programme.
Previously on 5 July, the CMA revealed that the two companies had broken the law by “colluding to restrict competition in the sales of Leicester City-branded clothing, including replica kit, in the UK”.
In August 2018, JD Sports had agreed to stop selling Leicester City FC-branded clothing for the upcoming season.
In 2019, the sports retailer also agreed not to undercut the football club online by making the products exempt from its free online delivery offer for all orders over £70.
So far, Leicester City FC Limited has admitted participating in the alleged infringement and has agreed to pay the fine.
Michael Grenfell, executive director of enforcement at the CMA, said: “The fine that Leicester City FC and its parent companies have agreed to pay sends a clear message to them and other businesses that anti-competitive collusion will not be tolerated.”
