League bosses plan Ashley talks

Football League bosses have confirmed they plan to hold talks with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley over his interests in Rangers.

Ashley holds an 8.92 per cent stake in the Ibrox club in addition to his ownership of the Magpies and also owns a 49 per cent share of the company selling Rangers’ retail products.

But that could now land the Sports Direct tycoon in trouble with the Football League following Newcastle’s relegation to the Sky Bet Championship.

Rules on dual ownership for clubs competing in the Championship are tighter than the ones governing English top-flight sides and the penalties for breaching them go as far as expulsion from the league.

Ashley would have to get the written consent of the Football League if he is to hold on to his Rangers interests.

If they refuse, he may be forced to loosen his grip on the retail deal that reportedly earns Rangers just four pence from every pound spent in its club store.

A Football League spokesman said: “Under Football League regulations, which differ from those applied by the Premier League in this area, …

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