JD in Footasylum plea

JD Sports has appealed against a watchdog’s decision to block its £90m takeover of Footasylum.

The sportswear group was ordered to sell footwear and clothing firm in May after initially agreeing to buy the business.

But the FTSE 100 retailer criticised the Competition and Markets Authority’s decision and at the time said it ‘will be detrimental for Footasylum, its customers, its 2,500 staff and the UK sports retail market as a whole’. But the CMA said the merger would have left customers with higher prices and worse service.

The CMA said yesterday JD had applied ‘for a review’ of its decision.