Sports Direct AGM ends, result of chairman vote to come later

[September 06, 2017]  SHIREBROOK, England (Reuters) - The annual shareholders' meeting of Sports Direct has concluded with the firm saying the results of investor votes will be announced through the Regulatory News Service (RNS) later on Wednesday.

Sports Direct Chairman Keith Hellawell (R) arrives for the company's AGM at their headquarters in Shirebrook, Britain September 6, 2017. REUTERS/Darren Staples

Chairman Keith Hellawell could be forced to honor a pledge to step down if a majority of independent shareholders do not back him.

Sports Direct is controlled by founder and 61 percent shareholder Mike Ashley. Ashley, who did not attend the meeting, is also the firm's chief executive.

Hellawell declined to answer any questions from media after the meeting.

(Reporting by Paul Sandle, writing by James Davey; editing by Kate Holton)

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