NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION
18 February 2019
Statement from JD Sports Fashion Plc ("JD Sports")
JD Sports confirms that it has today acquired 8,676,878 shares in Footasylum plc ("Footasylum"), representing 8.3% of the issued share capital of Footasylum.
JD Sports has acquired this stake for investment purposes. JD Sports is prepared to acquire up to an aggregate interest of 29.9% in Footasylum and confirms that it is not intending to make an offer for Footasylum.
This is a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the "Code") applies. Under Note 2 on Rule 2.8 of the Code, JD Sports reserves the right to set the restrictions in Rule 2.8 aside in the following circumstances:
a. with the agreement of the board of Footasylum;
b. if a third party announces a firm intention to make an offer for Footasylum;
c. if Footasylum announces a "whitewash" proposal (see Note 1 of the Notes on Dispensations from Rule 9) or a reverse takeover (as defined in the Code); and
d. if there has been a material change of circumstances (as determined by the Takeover Panel).
Enquires
JD Sports Fashion Plc (Tel: 0161 767 1000)
Peter Cowgill, Executive Chairman
Neil Greenhalgh, Chief Financial Officer
MHP Communications (Tel: 0203 128 8193)
Andrew Jaques
Giles Robinson
Nessyah Hart
Charles Hirst