Sydney Super Cup organisers file $3m legal action against Rangers Football Club amid agreement dispute

The fallout from a controversially cancelled Old Firm football clash in Sydney has hit the courts with promoters claiming millions in damages from Rangers FC.

Rangers FC face legal action from Sydney Super Cup promoters. Picture: Mark Runnacles/Getty Images

Sydney Super Cup promoters have filed legal action against Rangers that could see the Scottish football club pay $3m in compensation after the team backed out of matches including one against rival team Celtic.

Sporting events promoters TEG Live Pty Ltd and Left Field Live Pty Ltd filed the claim against The Rangers F.C in Federal Court on Friday.

They claim Rangers wrongfully terminated an agreement that stipulated the football club would play ‘friendly matches’ in Sydney against teams Celtic First and Western Sydney Wanderers in November.

The match between the Glasgow-based teams, who are together known as ‘Old Firm’, was highly anticipated as it would have been the first game to take place outside Scotland.

Sydney Super Cup match between Celtic and Everton at Accor Stadium. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

Court documents claim Rangers provided a 72-page guideline document to the promoters that the Old Firm wordmark, owned by both Rangers and Celtic, should be used throughout the marketing campaign to reflect its “commercial value and importance”.

Disagreements arose between March 1 and March 15 about the use of the wordmark on a proposed joint media release, an idea from promoters, which did not go ahead due to Celtic not agreeing to some of the wordmark use.

After a media call out and limited ticket release for the match, Rangers’ commercial and marketing director James Bisgrove issued a letter informing TEG and Left Field chief executives Geoff Jones and Bart Campbell of a breach in agreement referring back to stipulations around the wordmark which it alleged caused reputational damage and negative reaction from fans.

Malik Tillman of Rangers during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Rangers FC in Glasgow, Scotland this month. Picture: Mark Runnacles/Getty Images

However, court documents obtained by The Australian reveal the co-promoters believe Rangers terminated the agreement due to ‘overwhelming negative reaction’ from fans that an Old Firm match would be played in Sydney and not due the use of the wordmark.

TEG and Left Field point toward the negative comments on Rangers’ Instagram announcing they would play in the Sydney Super Cup.

Comments included ‘#NoSydneyShameGame’, ‘Reverse this decision or face protest until the board are sacked’ and ‘Why would you even want to play your old firm rivals on the different side of the planet? …’.

The promoters claim they suffered loss and damage following the wrongful termination with Destination NSW reducing their core funding by $1.5m and loss of ticket sales as well as costs of marketing.

Minister for Tourism, Ben Franklin and Celtic FC manager Ange Postecoglou for Sydney Super Cup. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

They are claiming $3m in compensation, noting a clause in the agreement outlining the Rangers should play unless a ‘force majeure event’ should occur such as governmental action, pandemic or severe weather.

The court documents also claim Rangers engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct contrary to Australian Consumer Law.

Tickets went on sale March 18, and almost two weeks after, the co-promoters announced to fans that the team had withdrawn from playing the matches.

“In changing their minds, the Rangers Board has let down many, many fans in Australia and the Asian region. We will now consult with our stakeholders before determining our response,” the promoters’ statement from earlier this year read.

The Scottish champions were meant to play the event from November 16-20.