Nike pays £10.7m penalty over football merchandise sales

Nike has been fined €12.5m (£10.7m) after falling foul of EU rules regarding cross-border online sales.

The European Commission found that between 2004 and 2017 the US sportswear firm blocked choice and raised prices for consumers by stopping licencees from selling merchandise for many top clubs outside of their direct territory.

It said that Nike had threatened to rip-up contracts if they did.

The case related only to merchandise for FC Barcelona, Manchester United, Juventus, Inter Milan, AS Roma and the French Football Federation, officials said.

The inquiry formed part of the Commission's sector inquiry into e-commerce.

The goods affected included official mugs, bags, bed sheets, stationery and toys.

Competition Commissioner, Margrethe Vestager, said: "Nike prevented many of its licensees from selling these branded products in a different country leading to less choice and higher prices for consumers."

The company, which was yet to give its response to the penalty, had its fine reduced by 40% because it cooperated with the investigation.