The European Commission has fined Eurofield SAS and its former parent company Unanime Sport SAS about €172,000 for failing to fully respond to information requests in an antitrust investigation into the synthetic turf sector.
According to the Commission, Eurofield twice submitted incomplete replies — first in June 2023, and again in October 2023 — despite being warned that its answers appeared insufficient. Officials later cross-checked the responses against evidence gathered in surprise inspections and found gaps.
In November 2024, regulators opened a formal probe into the suspected procedural breach. The companies then acknowledged liability, handed over the missing documents, and agreed to settle the case. Their cooperation earned them a 30% reduction in the fine.
EU rules allow fines of up to 1% of global turnover when firms provide misleading, incorrect, or incomplete data. The Commission said Eurofield acted negligently, stressing that companies are expected to take “utmost care” in preparing their responses.
This is the first time Brussels has fined a company for supplying incomplete information in an antitrust case. The Commission argued that omissions can seriously hinder its ability to investigate suspected cartels or abuses of dominance.
The wider investigation into the synthetic turf industry is still ongoing.
Commission Vice-President Teresa Ribera underlined the importance of the decision:
“Information requests are a vital tool to uncover antitrust infringements. If companies do not provide full and complete replies to our requests, they can compromise our investigations. Today’s decision marks the first time we fine a company for such a procedural breach… We will not hesitate to pursue similar cases in the future.”
