New Zealand Rugby (NZR) says that he has launched legal actions against ineos for alleged breach of contract, claiming that the British petrochemical company has moved away three years before its sponsorship agreement.
In 2021, the co-owner of Manchester United, Ineos, chaired by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, agreed to become NZR performance partner of 2022-27.
The agreement included the INEOS mark on the back of the shorts and at the front of the training shirts for the nation’s teams, including three times World Cup winners to the All Blacks and the six -time World Cup of Women, black ferns.
In a statement on Tuesday, NZR said Ineos “had not been able to pay the first quota of the 2025 sponsorship rate, confirming its decision to get out of our six -year agreement.”
He added: “Having learned from the decision to be away three years before, we have moved to protect the interests of the New Zealand rugby and the broader game.
“They have left us without option to launch legal procedures to protect our commercial position.
“NZR is actively looking for new commercial opportunities and global interest in the All Blacks and other black teams is still high.”
BBC Sport has contacted ineos to comment.
Last month, Ineos separated from the four -time Olympic champion Ben Ainslie, after having supported the navigation team of the Britannia America Cup since 2018.
Ineos said in a statement that “not finding an agreement” with Ainslie in “terms to advance” after last year’s event in Barcelona, which was won by New Zealand.
Ineos plans to compete in the next Copa América under the name of Britannia.
Ainslie’s team said in response that they were “amazed” by future ineos plans for the United States Cup and that the decision “raises important legal and practical obstacles for them.”
The company has a great sports portfolio, which includes being the owner of the Swiss football team FC Lausana-Sport and the French side Nice. He is also co -owner of the F1 Mercedes team and directs the ineos cycling team Grenadiers.
In 2021, the sports director of INEOS, Sir Dave Brailsford, praised the association with NZR.
“The integration of the ineos brand in this iconic kit symbolizes our association to share best practices and collaborate in performance innovation,” he said.
“I am anxious to integrate the players and a team in the New Zealand rugby in Ineos to support their ambitious performance objectives and apply the knowledge and experience found in all our teams.”
