Sports Direct, the sporting goods company founded by Mike Ashley, the Newcastle United owner and Rangers shareholder, has been visited by the police as part of an investigation into the former ownership of the Scottish club.
Detectives investigating Rangers’ controversial former owners Craig Whyte and Charles Green travelled from Scotland to the Sports Direct offices in Shirebrook, Derbyshire. The investigation is not aimed at Sports Direct and the company is cooperating fully.
“The premises of Sports Direct at Shirebrook were visited by Police Scotland conducting an investigation relating to Glasgow Rangers FC and various persons previously employed by and or associated with Rangers,” read a Sports Direct statement. “The police investigation is not directed at Sports Direct or at any of its directors or employees. The police were seeking documentation which might assist the investigation.
“Sports Direct has co-operated fully and will continue to cooperate in the provision of information that the police request.”
Scottish police said: “We can confirm that officers carried out a search of property in Derbyshire. As this is a live inquiry it would be inappropriate to comment any further.”
Ashley, who has a controlling shareholding in Sports Direct, has a near 9% stake in Rangers and controls the club’s retail operations.
