JD Sports has attacked the competition watchdog for a "fundamentally flawed" decision to block the retailer"s £90m takeover of Footasylum. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the merger could trigger a substantial hit to competition, pushing up prices and leaving customers worse off. Kip Meek, who is running the investigation, raised concerns that a tie-up would give shoppers less choice online and in stores. He warned that JD could stop discounting as a result, despite admitting that Footasylum only had a fraction of the sportswear market at 5pc. The smaller retailer is popular with students.