CARL Fogarty has opened his heart about the bitter legal battle that is tearing his family apart - and which has resulted in a three-month stand-off with his father.

The Mellor-based World Superbike champion is trying to stop his uncle, Brian Fogarty, from selling the rider's merchandise.

And the row has also caused a rift with the racer's dad and Brian's brother, George.

Fogarty said he signed an agreement, believing that it limited his uncle to selling the rider's pottery memorabilia several years ago.

But Brian Fogarty, of Pleasington Street, Blackburn is now involved with a company called Foggy Promotions, owned by Motorsport Enterprises, which claims that the agreement means they own the rights to sell a wider range of merchandise, including clothing.

Fogarty said: "I don't want them to sell my merchandise, so why are they doing it?

"The only reason is to make money for themselves which, as far as I'm concerned, they have no right to do.

"I'm very hurt. I will never have anything to do with Brian again.

"I don't understand why, because I have done a lot for him in the past.

"I helped Brian out and let him sell bits of pottery and never bothered about him doing it. If he made any money, that was fine. "It's just upsetting that someone with the same surname has gone and done all this.

"Good luck to him. But, because of this, we have fallen out for life."

And the row has caused other problems within the family.

Fogarty said: "I haven't spoken to my dad for three months and I don't know where he stands with it all.

"I don't know whether he has any involvement with it, or not.

"It's just all really, really sad.

"I have had contracts with other people over the last five years to do all my merchandise.

"Even if they think they have got a legal case, I don't want these people to have anything to do with my name.

"So why would they want to go ahead and do something with someone who hates them and wants nothing to do with them?"

Carl's father, Geoge Fogarty, denied there was a rift.

He said: "I simply put the phone down on Carl some time ago because of some of the things he was saying about George.

"But I will be going to their house at Christmas the same as always with presents for my grandchildren.

"As far as I'm concerned the whole thing has been blown out of all proportion. It is between Brian and Carl."

Fogarty is currently attempting to obtain a court order to stop Foggy Promotions from selling his official line of goods, which has grown into a lucrative business following the motorbike rider's amazing success.

He said: "It's all getting confusing and complicated. But I cannot allow this to happen and I will fight it all the way.

"In reality, I guess that it happens in life every day to stars who become famous." Brian Fogarty has previously told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph that he is acting to protect his own interests.

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