Valencia 'in legal dispute with DC Comics over bat logo'

La Liga side Valencia and DC Comics are reportedly in a legal dispute over the football club's bat logo.

The Spanish outfit have a similar crest to that of comic book character Batman, which is said to have put an obstacle in the way of Valencia's attempts to register their logo.

According to Spanish news website Plaza Deportiva, US-based DC Comics have filed a petition against Valencia securing the trademark their logo due to its similarity to the 'bat signal' used to attract caped crusader Batman.

Valencia's bat-themed logo has been displayed on the team's shirts since 1919, 20 years before the Batman comics were first published in 1939.