Roger Barker, director of corporate governance at the IoD, said: “This type of pay package would be unthinkable for a senior executive who was not also the company’s major shareholder. It raises doubts about whether the board is acting as an effective independent check on Ashley’s power.”
The clash between adidas and Sports Direct is over the supply of replica football shirts and World Cup merchandise. Adidas has not supplied Sports Direct with the on-field replica shirts for the teams it sponsors at the World Cup, including Argentina, Germany, Spain and Columbia, as well as the official Brazuca matchball and boots.
In an interview with The Telegraph at the weekend, Herbert Hainer, chief executive of adidas, appeared to offer an olive branch to Sports Direct by stating he was still keen to work with the UK retailer but wants it to improve the presentation in its stores.
However, Mr Forsey said Mr Hainer was being “disingenuous” and that there was a “total disconnect” between his comments and adidas blocking Sports Direct from key products.
It is understood that Sports Direct has reported adidas to the Competition and Markets Authority, although Mr Forsey would only say the company is “active” with the authorities about the adidas issue. There is also thought to be court proceedings against adidas in Germany from other retailers unhappy with the company’s tactics.
Mr Forsey claimed adidas was concerned about the discounts Sports Direct offers shoppers. “We believe it is all about price,” he said. “That is the only conclusion we can come to.
“How can you justify not supplying us with the World Cup football. Is it a lower quality of air [in Sports Direct stores]?”
Mr Forsey said adidas’s approach was preventing Sports Direct from pursuing a bid for Office due to concerns the German company will cut supplies to the footwear chain. Adidas has pulled its Originals range of footwear out of Sports Direct’s fashion chain USC.
“It is impossible to consider,” Mr Forsey said of a bid for Office. “We are the perfect potential partner.”
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