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Sir Jim Ratcliffe has hit an even lower point as 2025 looks to go from bad to worse for the INEOS owner.
United started the year in their worst-ever position down in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
Then, one of his other football clubs, OGC Nice, was knocked out of the Coupe de France by a non-Ligue 1 side for the second time since INEOS took over.
Now, Ratcliffe finds himself being sued by the New Zealand rugby team, the All Blacks.
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New Zealand Rugby sue Sir Jim Ratcliffe
The Telegraph has reported that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS, who signed a six-year partnership with the All Blacks is now being taken to court for not paying the first instalment of the sponsorship deal for 2025.
INEOS were the performance partners for the New Zealand side, with the contract running until 2027, however now on the company’s website, the page linking to the partnership with New Zealand Rugby simply returns with the message “page not found”.
The contract was understood to be worth £3.65 million per year, totalling at just under £22 million in total, with the company aiming to establish itself as “a unique sport performance group” across Formula One, cycling, sailing, football and rugby.
It’s understood that New Zealand Rugby have already begun legal proceedings against INEOS, with a statement reading: “New Zealand Rugby is disappointed that Ineos has breached its sponsorship agreement. Most recently, it failed to pay the first instalment of the 2025 sponsorship fee, confirming its decision to exit our six-year agreement.
“Having learned of Ineos’s decision to walk away three years early, we have moved to protect the interests of New Zealand Rugby and the wider game. We have been left with no option but to launch legal proceedings to protect our commercial position.
“NZR is actively pursuing new commercial opportunities and global interest in the All Blacks and other Teams in Black remains high. We are committed to being world class on and off the field and deliver unique value to sponsors through our iconic brands.”
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Source: Centred Devils
