Sports equipment sector: anti-competitive practices

The CMA investigated a suspected breach of competition law in the sports equipment sector under Chapter I of CA98 and Article 101 of TFEU.

From:
Competition and Markets Authority
Published
18 November 2015
Last updated
7 September 2018 — See all updates
Case type:
CA98 and civil cartels
Case state:
Closed
Market sector:
Retail and wholesale
Outcome:
CA98 - infringement Chapter I
Opened:
18 November 2015
Closed:
24 August 2017

Case reference: 50230

Case timetable

Date Action
20 January 2020 Court of Appeal judgment
7 September 2018 CAT ruling rejecting appeal of the online sales ban
21 December 2017 Non-confidential infringement decision published
24 August 2017 Infringement decision issued
November 2016 to August 2017 Considering written representations on the statement of objections, further evidence gathering and analysis, issue of letters of facts, receipt and consideration of representations on letters of facts, decision on case outcome, preparation of decision.
September to October 2016 (estimate) Receipt of written and oral representations on the statement of objections
August 2016 Statement of objections re-issued
June 2016 Statement of objections issued
November 2015 to June 2016 Initial investigation: information gathering, including issuance of formal or informal information requests and parties’ responses. CMA analysis and review of parties’ responses to information requests. Decision taken to issue statement of objections.
November 2015 Investigation opened

Court of Appeal judgment

20 January 2020: The Court of Appeal rejected a further appeal brought by the party against the Competition Appeal Tribunal judgment.

Competition Appeal Tribunal ruling

7 September 2018: The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) rejected an appeal of the online sales ban in the golf equipment sector decision brought by the party.

Non-confidential infringement decision

21 December 2017: The CMA has published a non-confidential version of the decision in this case, in which Ping Europe Limited (Ping) was fined £1.45 million for breaking competition law.

Infringement decision

24 August 2017: The CMA issued an infringement decision to Ping Europe Limited (Ping). The CMA found that Ping has been operating an online sales ban, which is not objectively justified, thereby infringing the Chapter I prohibition of the Competition Act 1998 (CA98) and Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). The CMA imposed a financial penalty of £1.45 million on Ping and directed that it brings the online sales ban to an end, and must not impose the same or equivalent terms on other retailers.

Statement of objections

9 June 2016: The CMA has alleged that Ping has breached UK and EU competition law by operating an online sales ban.

Notes

The investigation is under Chapter I of the Competition Act 1998 and Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

Further detail of the CMA’s procedures in Competition Act 1998 cases is available here: CMA’s procedures in Competition Act cases.

Contacts

Assistant project director

April Carr (0203 738 6204, [email protected])

Project director

Sue Aspinall (0203 738 6788, [email protected])

Senior responsible officer

Ann Pope (0203 738 6786, [email protected])

Updates to this page

Published 18 November 2015
Last updated 7 September 2018 + show all updates

  1. Competition Appeal Tribunal ruling announced.

  2. Non-confidential infringement decision published.

  3. Infringement decision issued.

  4. Timetable updated.

  5. Timetable updated.

  6. Statement of objections issued and timetable updated.

  7. Timetable updated.

  8. First published.

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