Rangers: Mike Ashley and Ibrox club face March hearings

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Mike Ashley has loaned funds to Rangers to keep the club in business

Mike Ashley and Rangers face hearings before the Scottish FA in March over the Newcastle United owner's possible breaches of dual interest rules.

A procedural hearing at Hampden on Tuesday set a date of 2 March for a full hearing into two charges against Ashley over his interests in two clubs.

Rangers will appear at a separate hearing on 16 March to answer three charges against the football club.

Ashley owns 8.92% of the Scottish Championship outfit's shares.

He was accused on 15 December of not acting in the best interests of football and of breaching a rule relating to holding power over two clubs.

The Sports Direct founder was recently refused permission by the SFA to extend his Ibrox shareholding to almost 30%, having previously signed an agreement that limits him to 10%.

His two close business associates, Derek Llambias and Barry Leach, recently joined the Rangers board and Ashley has loaned the Ibrox club money for working capital.