Rangers Banned From Wearing Hummel Kits From 2020-21 Season
Rangers FC will not be allowed to wear Hummel jerseys next season as they lost a long-running court battle against Mike Ashley's sportswear firm Sports Direct.
The court battle between Sports Direct, who are owned by Mike Ashley, and the Ibrox club resulted in a High Court injunction being imposed on the club, preventing the club from wearing or selling kit strips made by the Danish company from the 2020-21 season. Mike Ashley hold shares in Rangers until 2017.
Court Demands Rangers To Pay Legal Fees To Sports Direct
Rangers have to pay legal fees to Sports Direct, with an interim payment of £444,846.60 due by 4pm on August 16, according to reports. That amount could rise dramatically, with both parties expected to return to court at a later date in order to reach an agreement over damages.
A company in the wider Sports Direct Group - SDI Retail Services - claimed Ibrox bosses had been in breach of obligations concerning replica strips. Rangers chiefs disputed the claims but Judge Lionel Persey QC ruled in favour of SDI, imposing the injunction for next term.
The injunction means the Gers cannot register a Hummel-made home, away or third kit with the Scottish FA ahead of the 2020-21 campaign.
The ruling stated: "Rangers shall not perform the Elite-Hummel Agreement. Rangers shall not assist Elite or Hummel to perform the Elite-Hummel Agreement. And Rangers shall inform Elite and Hummel that it will not perform the Elite-Hummel Agreement."
Rangers are also prohibited from permitting any of the club's teams "to wear any Official Rangers Technical Products designed by, supplied by, gifted by or manufactured by Elite or Hummel, or bearing the Hummel brand."
If Rangers FC fail to comply with the order, Rangers could be held in contempt of court, fined, or have assets seized r. Club directors risk a fine or even jail if they breach the court ruling.
Rangers To Wear Hummel Kits For Remainder Of 2019-20 Season
A statement issued on the club's official website said: "Rangers was disappointed by the terms of the recent court Judgment but respects the decision of the court and will meet any financial award made by the court."
Rangers' existing tie-up with Hummel will continue for the remainder of the 2019-20 campaign.
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