THE Office of Fair Trading has written to the JJB Sports chain owned by former Blackburn Rovers star Dave Whelan as part of a probe into alleged price-fixing of replica kits.
The Wigan based firm, Britain's largest sports retailer, is among 11 companies being investigated by the OFT, including Manchester United Football Club.
A spokesman for JJB, which has town centre shops and out-of-town superstores across East Lancashire, confirmed it had recieved notification from the OFT.
He said: "We have received notification that the Director General proposes to make a decision that several companies, including JJB, have attempted to maintain the minimum retail price of certain replica football kits manufactured by Umbro.
"JJB has fully co-operated with the OFT's investigation, providing access to the documentation requested.
"Directors advised the OFT that JJB has never been involved in price fixing of any product.
"JJB will study the information provided by the OFT and respond to it within the appropriate timescales."
All companies have been given the opportunity to reply to the allegations before any decision is made.
A spokesman for the OFT said: "We have written to these companies, setting out why the investigation proposes that they entered into a number of agreements to fix the price of football kits manufactured and supplied by Umbro, infringing Chapter I of the Competition Act 1998.
"The parties now have the opportunity to make oral and written representations in response to the OFT's proposed decision.
"These will be taken fully into account before any final decision is made."
The head offices of JJB were investigated in dawn raids in September as part of the probe.
A statement from the company said it was fully co-operating with the Office of Fair Trading and insisted it had never been involved with price fixing.
Whelan set up the sports firm when his playing days ended.
After breaking his leg twice -- the first time in the 1960 FA Cup Final while playing for Rovers against Wolves -- he opened a corner shop in Tewkesbury Street, Blackburn.
He later moved to Blackburn Market and built up a chain of discount shops which he later sold to Morrisons for £1 million in 1978.
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