Frasers Group fails to secure injunction linked to Newcastle United kit supply case

Sports Direct has failed in its bid to secure an injunction against Newcastle United (NUFC) in a row over an exclusive replica football kit supply deal with rival retailer JD Sports.

The Court of Appeal has rejected Sports Direct’s permission to appeal a decision over the Premiership side’s refusal to supply its now-Adidas-produced replica kit to the Frasers Group-owned sportswear giant for the upcoming 2024/25 season.

Sports Direct first filed a claim to the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) for the injunction in March. At a hearing last month, Frasers Group’s majority owner Mike Ashley said he was forced to file for the injunction following NUFC’s refusal to supply Sports Direct with its upcoming replica kit as it now has an exclusive retail arrangement with rival JD Sport.

Its argument alleges that NUFC abused its dominant position in the market by entering into an exclusive sales arrangement with JD Sports. Lawyers for the retail giant said it has been a supplier for the replica kit for decades.

Shortly after the hearing, the Tribunal unanimously decided that Sports Direct’s application for interim injunctive relief should be refused.

Sports Direct then filed an expedited application to the Court of Appeal for permission to appeal this decision. But while the judges said the CAT was wrong to find there was no serious case to be tried, it made the right decision in not granting the injunction.

Sports Direct and Newcastle United have yet to comment on the decision.