Rangers' plans for its extraordinary general meeting (EGM) in London have been plunged into chaos after the venue pulled out.

 

The club agreed to a requisition by former Rangers director Dave King to hold the crucial shareholders meeting to oust the current directors who are behind shareholder Mike Ashley.

But the Millennium Gloucester Hotel & Conference Centre, where it was due to be held on March 4, has now withdrawn from hosting it.

Its management fear that travelling fans will cause disruption to guests and neighbours.

In a statement, Ranger said: "The hotel management felt it necessary to take this position after receiving numerous complaints and false information from individuals purporting to be shareholders.

"The Board is concerned the situation was exacerbated by irresponsible and inaccurate media coverage.

"An alternative venue is currently being sought in the London area and will be announced as soon as possible.

"The Board apologises for any inconvenience this may have caused shareholders due to matters out with its control."

Fans had reacted angrily when it was confirmed last week that the shareholder meeting, at which shareholder Dave King hopes to take a seat on the club's board, would not be held in Glasgow.

There were fears that the GM could be postponed if too many shareholders turned up at the venue, which can only hold 500 people.

The date was announced shortly after Rangers agreed to accept a loan from Newcastle United and Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley.

Last night the Rangers Supporters Trust said on its Facebook site: "Here's an idea.

"Not ground breaking by any means. Hold the EGM in Ibrox. Costs nothing and accessible to all supporters."

On Sunday the former captain Richard Gough called on Rangers supporters and shareholders to stay away from the club's EGM over the fear that it would lead to a postponement.

"The most important thing is that the meeting takes place," said Gough. "We cannot give the board any excuse to adjourn it."

An estimated 2000 shareholders attended the annual general meeting at Ibrox in December.

Hundreds of supporters attending a demonstration staged outside the stadium before the visit of Raith Rovers in the William Hill Scottish Cup chanted "We're all going to London" in addition to demanding the removal of both the board and the influence exerted by shareholder and Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley.

* The Daily Record, which reported earlier that the hotel might not stage the meeting, later revealed it had been banned from attending Rangers press conferences and Ibrox matches by club chief executive Derek Llambias.