FA pays up in legal row over mascots

The Football Association have paid a six-figure, out-of-court settlement to an advertising agency after a legal row over the England team's "Three Lions" mascots.

Interfocus claimed it had come up with the original idea for the cartoon-based characters six years ago and were encouraged by the FA to develop it. However, the company threatened to take action for damages and breach of confidence when the mascots Roary, Mayne and Pauz were later introduced after the firm had failed to agree terms with the FA. These mascots, which were unveiled to England fans before the World Cup qualifier against Finland at Anfield last March, were – according to Interfocus – similar to the proposals they had been working on.

An out-of-court settlement was reached earlier this summer, with one report putting the amount involved at around £500,000 but other sources claiming it was significantly lower than that.