Tottenham Hotspur have launched legal action against Ineos, the multinational chemical firm owned by Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, alleging breach of a sponsorship agreement.
According to The Telegraph, the lawsuit was filed on June 13 and stems from a five-year deal signed in 2022 between Spurs and Ineos Automotive. Initially formed during the pandemic to supply hand sanitiser, the partnership later evolved to promote the Ineos Grenadier SUV—marketed as “the club’s 4×4”—in a deal reportedly worth £17.5 million.
However, the relationship has since deteriorated. Ineos allegedly failed to pay an annual instalment exceeding £5 million in December 2023, along with an additional £500,000 tied to inflation adjustments owed in August. Spurs say the continued non-payment led them to terminate the deal in March 2024.
Now, Tottenham are pursuing over £11 million in damages, including at least £5.2 million in compensation, plus interest and legal fees. The original contract included escalating payments, starting from £2.1 million and rising to £4.6 million by the final year.
In response, Ineos denies any wrongdoing and insists it has upheld all legal commitments. A company spokesperson stated that reviewing sponsorship agreements is “perfectly normal” and that the Spurs partnership was no longer aligned with their business goals.
This is just one of several high-profile sponsorship controversies involving Ineos. The company recently withdrew from the America’s Cup amid a dispute with sailor Sir Ben Ainslie, and the New Zealand All Blacks are reportedly also suing Ineos over an alleged breach of their long-term agreement.
With tensions rising, Tottenham’s legal action adds another layer of pressure on Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos empire—now increasingly under scrutiny across the global sports landscape.