Mike Ashley has suffered another set back in his battle with Rangers after a civil judge ruled the Newcastle United owner has to pay the SFA's legal bills.

The Sports Direct supremo's lawyers were told on Thursday that their client will have to pay the footballing watchdog's and Dave King's costs.

The entrepreneur had abandoned a judicial review at Edinburgh's Court of Session.

Read more: Mike Ashley could be forced to pay legal bills of Rangers chairman Dave King and the SFA

He had wanted judge Lord Bannatyne to overturn the SFA's decision to class Rangers chairman Dave King as a "fit and proper person" to be involved in football. However, he dropped the action in April 2016 shortly after receiving information about Mr King's finances.

The information had been used by the SFA in their May 2015 deliberations and Mr Ashley's decision to stop the action came on the first day of proceedings.

Ashley's legal team argued that he shouldn't have need to pay the football watchdog's costs.

The Herald:

He told the hearing that if Mr Ashley had been given the information at an earlier stage, he would not have gone to the Court of Session.

However, Lord Bannatyne disagreed with the argument and ruled that Mike Ashley should meet the costs incurred by the action.

The latest decision comes just weeks after fellow Court of Session judge Lord Brodie ruled the SFA were correct to fine Mike Ashley for breaking ownership rules.

Read more: Mike Ashley could be forced to pay legal bills of Rangers chairman Dave King and the SFA

Mr Ashley, who owns an 8.92 per cent stake in Rangers, was fined £1,000 for his involvement with Rangers and Newcastle United.