Manchester United co-owners Ineos have hit back in extraordinary fashion after it emerged they were being sued by the All Blacks.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s petrochemicals giant has issued an explosive statement which claims they have decided to end their sponsorship of New Zealand Rugby thanks, no less, to the ‘deindustrialisation of Europe’.
They say the move to withdraw as performance partner – which has triggered legal action – was down to ‘high energy costs’ and ‘extreme carbon taxes’ on their businesses.
As a result, they say they have had to make ‘cost-saving measures’ which include pulling the plug on the six-year deal worth around £22m.