New Zealand Rugby release bombshell statement slamming Man United co-owners INEOS, taking legal action

New Zealand Rugby are set to take legal action against Manchester United co-owners INEOS after an alleged breach of contract.

In a statement released this week, New Zealand Ruby have accused Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s company of breaching their lucrative sponsorship deal.

INEOS, the co-owners of Manchester United, had agreed a six-year deal in 2021 to become an official performance partner to the All Blacks until 2027. MailSport report that the deal is understood to be worth around £3.65 million per year. 

However, it has been claimed by New Zealand Rugby that the petrochemicals company failed to pay the first instalment of the 2025 sponsorship deal.

Telegraph Sport have revealed that while INEOS are yet to comment on the situation, the page on its website about the partnership with New Zealand Rugby now just says “page not found”.

It was also claimed that the All Blacks will immediately drop the INEOS logo from their jerseys while they seek a new backer.

New Zealand Rugby statement on INEOS

The full statement from New Zealand Rugby, as per Telegraph Sport, reads: “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.”

This appears to be yet another PR disaster for Ratcliffe and his company after months of ridicule for their mistakes made at Old Trafford.

The British billionaire has sacked around a quarter of the workforce at United and raised the ticket prices for fans at the Theatre of Dreams despite the club experiencing their worst-ever season in Premier League history.

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