Mike Ashley has lost his latest legal challenge against Newcastle United’s refusal to supply its football kit to Sports Direct. The Court of Appeal rejected the billionaire’s claim by ruling Newcastle United would suffer “fundamental” damage if it was forced to sell next season’s shirts in the sportswear chain. The ruling is the latest twist in the dispute between Mr Ashley’s sportswear shopping chain and the football club he used to own. Sports Direct, owned by Mr Ashley’s Frasers Group, sued Newcastle United over its exclusive supply deal with rival retailer JD Sports. The discount retailer, which has 488 stores in the UK, claimed the deal breached competition law. Sports Direct, which has stocked Newcastle’s replica kit for decades alongside jerseys for other major Premier League clubs, also alleged its reputation as the “home of football” would be harmed as a result. However, the Court of Appeal denied Sports Direct’s latest request for a temporary injunction to force Newcastle United to supply its kit ahead of a full-blown trial. In a ruling handed down on Friday, the Court of Appeal ordered a “speedy trial” instead of forcing an injunction on Newcastle. Judge Sir Geoffrey Vos said: “The trial will no...