Sports Direct have accused Sevco of leaking confidential information to the Daily Record.
Breaking: Judge at Royal Courts of Justice agrees an injunction from Sports Direct over commercial confidentiality at tomorrow’s EGM
— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) June 11, 2015
Counsel for Sports Direct thanks judge for her decision, asks for legal costs to be paid by RFC
— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) June 11, 2015
The news emerged today as the sportswear giant took the company running the football club to court to prevent further details emerging into the public domain.
Sports Direct struck a deal with the new club in the summer of 2012 that saw their merchandise available throughout the UK thanks to the goodwill of Mike Ashley.
At the start of May 2015 the Daily Record revealed that Mr Ashley had requested a General Meeting for the return of his £5m crisis loan and also to disclose details of why the company had been unable to find a nominated adviser to remain on the Alternative Investment Market.
On May 27 the Daily Record produced further information on the link up between the two companies explaining: “RANGERS are ready to go to war with Mike Ashley in a bid to rip up a crippling commercial deal which includes a massive seven-year notice period.
“The Ibrox club confirmed last night they have agreed to Ashley’s demands to stage a General Meeting and set a date of June 12 for the latest shareholder showdown.
“But in a move certain to antagonise the Newcastle chief, chairman Dave King has put forward his own counter proposals which include removing the voting rights of those who own stakes in other clubs.
“And he also plans to use the meeting to blow the lid off secret details of the contracts handed to Ashley’s retail company Sports Direct by previous Rangers owner Charles Green.
“And Record Sport can reveal the new regime are particularly outraged at discovering the length of their contractual ties to Ashley’s firm.
“In short, if Rangers binned the agreement today they would trigger a notice period which would last until May 2022 which means that, effectively, Green gave Ashley an astonishing seven-year rolling contract.”
Former Record reporter James Traynor has headed up King’s PR and has produced a number of interviews for the Championship side’s online television station.
Traynor quit the Record in January 2013 to work for Charles Green’s international communications empire at Ibrox but was removed shortly after Mr Green walked away despite catching Rangersitis.
Reporting from the court today James Doleman tweeted:
Counsel for Sports Direct says “what triggered this application was an article in the Daily Record titled ‘Rangers board ready for war”‘
— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) June 11, 2015
Counsel for SD says that the 7 year notice period on their contract should not have been disclosed “we did not tell the Daily Record” — James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) June 11, 2015
Counsel for SD says they wrote to Rangers Board asking if they were the source for the Daily Record article.
— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) June 11, 2015
“At no point have Rangers said they are not the source of the information” SD counsel notes. — James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) June 11, 2015
“Rather than submit endless articles”SD counsel provides screenshot from google over 7 year notice period.
— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) June 11, 2015
“The clear inference that the source of the information was the board itself” SD counsel tells court. “Rangers have breached confidentiality — James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) June 11, 2015
Counsel for RFC says he is willing to give an undertaking to keep to confidentiality agreement as written.
— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) June 11, 2015
Counsel for RFC says that “an article in a tabloid newspaper that is full of hyperbole” is not a justification for an injunction — James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) June 11, 2015
Arguments about the source of Daily Record “if there even was a source” is entirely speculative Counsel for RFC tells court
— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) June 11, 2015
Judge asks counsel for RFC if his position is there has been “no leakage from the board” “Yes” he replies. — James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) June 11, 2015
2015 confidentiality agreement between RFC and SD covered “present and future agreements” judge notes
— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) June 11, 2015
Judge notes there has been no denial from counsel for RFC that the board leaked confidential information to the Daily Record
— James Doleman (@jamesdoleman) June 11, 2015
