Under-fire Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley is bracing himself for a showdown with shareholders and unions next week as he prepares to throw open the retailer's factory doors to the public in a bid to address concerns over corporate governance and working practices.

"The evidence we heard points to a business whose working practices are closer to that of a Victorian workhouse than that of a modern, reputable High Street retailer."

Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley has admitted he paid workers below the minimum wage, also telling British MPs he has discovered “issues” with working practices at the retailer as part of an internal review.

Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley has admitted that he paid workers below the minimum wage, also telling UK MPs that he has discovered "issues" with working practices at the retailer as part of an internal review.

Shares in Sports Direct, Britain’s biggest sportswear retailer — which late last year agreed to buy retailer Heatons here — fell almost 6% yesterday after its founder said the company’s profits would fall this year.

Under-pressure retailer Sports Direct saw its shares tumble after founder Mike Ashley admitted the group was "in trouble" and would see profits fall this year.

Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley has accused a senior MP of being “deliberately antagonistic” in pursuing him to answer questions about the treatment of workers at his company, the country’s biggest sportswear retailer.

Sports Direct, Britain’s biggest sportswear retailer, responded to critics of its employment practices yesterday with

Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley is to oversee a review of all agency worker terms and conditions at the company, the board has announced.

Rangers said the resolution was intended to afford them protection against breaking SFA rules.

Newcastle fans have reacted angrily after the club chose to stand by manager John Carver following their eighth successive defeat at the weekend.

Newcastle have emerged as one of the most profitable clubs in the Barclays Premier League after announcing record profits of £18.7million last season.