RANGERS have been fined alongside JD Sports and Elite Sports by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) after being found guilty of price fixing on official merchandise.
An investigation found that 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 until July 2019.
The Ibrox club also took part in the collusion but only to the extent of fixing the retail price of adult home short-sleeved replica shirts from September 2018 to mid-November 2018. All 3 firms colluded to stop JD Sports from undercutting the retail price of the shirt on Elite’s Gers Online store.
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.
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.
Michael Grenfell, Executive Director of Enforcement at the CMA, 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."
