That is the resolution of a court hearing between Rangers and Sports Direct.
The dispute between the two centred around a deal where SDI Retail Services and a company owned by Sports Direct, sells replica Rangers shirts and other merchandise. Rangers tried to evade further cooperation with Sports Direct, which is owned by the billionaire owner of Newcastle United, Mike Ashley after fans turned on the company last year when they found out the club earned only a small percentage of jersey sales, meaning most of their money didn’t go into the club they support, but instead into Ashley’s pocket. Unsatisfied, Rangers fans boycotted by refusing to purchase SDI’s replica kits from the club’s Ibrox store.
Rangers and Sports Direct contract issue
Rangers tried to get away from the deal with Sports Direct by signing a new deal with Danish sports apparel company Hummel. However, SDI took Rangers to court in an attempt to block the deal, claiming it should’ve been allowed to match any new offer under a clause in its contract with the club.
As it turns out, such clause does exist. As a result, lawyers from both legal teams struck a deal which means Rangers will not only have to pay all the legal fees in excess of €560.000, but they will also be forced to sign a new contract with Sports Direct, as the retail company will match the offer made by Hummel.
Rangers fans boycott
The fans are livid with the decision and plan to continue the boycott as long as Sports Direct is associated with the club from Glasgow.
“Most fans I know want to see us re-implement the boycott on Sports Direct and the club shop until Mike Ashley is removed from any influence in the club.”
“He’s poisoned his relationship with Rangers fans and cost the club millions in lost business.”
“Fans just want him out.” – Mark Dingwall, editor of supporters’ site Followfollow.com