ONE of the region's top football clubs is being sued by the company that used to make its kit.

Sportswear company Diadora has issued the £500,000 writ against Sunderland Football Club, claiming it is owed the money as part of a sponsorship deal that was scrapped earlier this year.

The Black Cats, however, say they have been caught up in the middle of a dispute between Diadora and a third party.

Last year, the Wearsiders announced a six-year deal with Diadora, worth a "seven-figure sum". The contract also included Sports World International (SWI), which agreed to sell replica strips in its UK stores.

In June, Sunderland announced the arrangement was over, "due to factors which were beyond the control of the club" and agreed a new deal with Lonsdale.

Lesley Callaghan, the club's communications and marketing director, said it had to pull out of the deal because SWI and Dia-dora refused to work together.

The club admitted it owed Diadora money, but it said all three companies signed an agreement in April that Sunderland would pay what they owed only when SWI had paid the Wearsiders what they, in turn, were owed, believed to be almost £1m.

However, Diadora has filed a writ in the High Court demanding Sunderland pay £499,604.19.

A club spokeswoman said: "The club cannot understand the action taken by Diadora."

A Diadora UK Limited spokesman would not comment.