Mike Ashley blasts Rangers over voting rights

Mike Ashley has fired back at the Rangers board after a failed attempt to block the shareholder from voting on matters concerning the club.

Mike Ashley has continued his war with Rangers chairman Dave King. Picture: PA

Ashley owns a little less than 9 per cent of shares in Rangers and recently won his bid to prevent shareholders from blocking his voting rights at this Friday’s AGM.

The Sports Direct tycoon was granted an interim interdict by the Court of Session, forcing Rangers to remove the resolution which sought to deny the rights to anyone who had interests of management or administration in another club.

The Ibrox board claimed the move would safeguard the club from any future punishment from the SFA, who dished out a fine of £7500 to Rangers for Ashley’s breach of dual ownership rules.

However, Ashley refuted the claims, stating the Scottish FA have no issue with the Newcastle United owner’s current stakeholding or his abilities to vote on Ibrox matters.

A statement released by MASH Holdings read: “The statement implies that the amendment to the Articles will protect against a ‘further breach’.

“However, that amendment, so far as MASH is concerned, addresses a matter which would not be a breach of the rules.

“The SFA has expressly approved Mr Ashley’s shareholding. The fines imposed earlier this year by the SFA were not linked to Mr Ashley’s status as a shareholder, or his ability to exercise voting rights as a shareholder.

“As far as Mr Ashley/MASH Holdings is aware, the SFA has not expressed any concerns over Mr Ashley remaining as a shareholder or having an ability to vote his shares through MASH Holdings Limited in the general meeting.”