boabie

BILLIONAIRE businessman Mike Ashley is awaiting a civil judge's decision on whether he has to pay the legal bills of the Scottish Football Association and Rangers chairman Dave King. The Sports Direct supremo abandoned a legal action today in which he wanted to challenge the SFA's decision to class Dave King as a "fit and proper person" for involvement with the 'Gers. He decided to drop the action after his legal team received information about Mr King's finances which the SFA used in their May 2015 deliberations. However, judge Lord Bannatyne is considering legal submissions made by lawyers acting for the SFA and Mr King during proceedings at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Thursday. They argued that the Newcastle United owner is using the legal system to pursue a "vendetta" against Mr King. Advocate Roddy Dunlop QC for the SFA and Mr King's counsel Kenneth McGuire argue that Mr Ashley's alleged conduct and his decision to drop the proceedings should result in him meeting costs. Mr Dunlop told the court: "It is my submission that the petitioner in this case is pursuing a personal vendetta against Mr King and that my clients, the respondents, are simply the collateral damage in pursuit of this vendetta." The case heard in court on Thursday was brought by MASH Holdings Limited. The company is the ownership mechanism in which Mike Ashley holds his Rangers shares in. Mr Ashley believed that the SFA shouldn't have allowed Mr King to participate in the day to day running of Rangers because of his tax convictions in South Africa. The businessman admitted to 41 breaches of the South African Income Tax Act and agreed to pay a £43.7 million settlement in 2013 following a legal battle there. Lord Bannatyne will issue his decision on whether Mr Ashley should pay legal costs in a written judgement which will be issued in the near future. He said: "I am taking this to avisandum." http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/14459155.Mike_Ashley_could_be_forced_to_pay_legal_bills_of_Rangers_chairman_Dave_King_and_the_SFA/?

General Ashlays tanks which were formerly "parked on Rangers front lawn". The tarred one and others have been telling us for ages that General Ashley was ready to move in with his tanks, oust King, call in pure mullions we owe him and take over at Ibrox.

Or that thousands of Hibs fans who couldn't find Easter Road with a sat nav will be able to buy a ticket and attend the final. These matches should be allocated on average season tickets sold. Hivs should get one end of Hampden only - and even that is being generous.

General Ashleys tanks have moved from the front lawn.

A written decision on costs will be issued. Possibly in a few weeks.

Lord Bannatyne has allowed the dismissal of the case and will take time to consider the issue of costs.

SFA's lawyer says that as MASH had no "standing" any information about King was confidential and there was no need to tell MASH.

Mash now claiming they would have abandoned the case sooner if the SFA had shown proof in their possession that SARS had declared King to be fit and proper. The case has been abandoned by Ashley. The debate at present is who pays what costs.

The latest update has Ashleys lawyer arguing that the SFA have no power to remove a director of a club. Rather they would punish the club itself. They say they were not trying to challenge whether King was a fit and proper person but were challenging the process .

Doleman is probably outside the court now begging for his bus fare home as he hasn't said anything in a while now. I'll let Frankie update from Grant Russells tweets.

I'm afraid you're addressing a bit of a Luddite when it comes to doing things like that Frankie. I can copy and paste and that's about it I'm afraid. If preferred I'll let your good self carry on with the updates as I'm honestly garbage at stuff like that.

Counsel for Dave King tells court Ashley made 'no attempt' to discuss matters with his client. Counsel for King says his client has made "significant loans" to RFC as a director.

Counsel for King notes that Ashley also abandoned proceeding against his client in London.

"This is nothing more that mudslinging" King's counsel tells court

Counsel for King notes his client was appointed a director of Rangers retail Ltd without any objection from Mr Ashley

Judge asks counsel when Mr King disclosed information from police Scotland?

Counsel for King asks court go award costs to his client including an additional fee to "show it's displeasure."

Grant Russell tweets - SFA lawyer raises that MASH has no more standing to raise petition as an aggrieved shareholder of Celtic would.

James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman 22s23 seconds ago "He who abandons must pay," counsel for SFA tells court

James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman 40s40 seconds ago Counsel for SFA suggests Ashley is pursuing a "vendetta" against Dave King

James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman 7s7 seconds ago Counsel for the SFA says there was never a prospect of King being imprisoned in SA over tax issues

James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman 1m1 minute ago Counsel for the SFA argues Ashley "lacked standing" to bring proceedings against the SFA

James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman 13s13 seconds ago Counsel for the SFA rises to address the v court. Asks court to rule Ashley should pay costs.

James Doleman ‏@jamesdoleman 53s54 seconds ago Counsel for Ashley asks court to dismiss the petition with no costs order on either side.

Ashleys council is currently addressing the court according to Doleman.