MIKE Ashley has criticised Sports Direct shareholders who failed to back embattled chairman Keith Hellawell.

Mr Ashley said he believes Mr Hellawell is “the right man” to take the company forward.

The backing comes after more than half of independent shareholders voted against Mr Hellawell in a general meeting last week.

Influential shareholder group Institutional Shareholder Services previously accused Mr Hellawell of overseeing a “catalogue of governance and operational failures”.

However, Newcastle United owner Mr Ashley said his ally was pivotal in his plans to make Sports Direct the ‘Selfridges of Sport’.

Speaking after hedge fund boss Crispin Odey backed the retailer, Mr Ashley said: “I'm pleased we are in agreement over the fact Keith is the right man to help deliver further progress.

"We now intend to concentrate on our medium and long-term goals in order to deliver shareholder value through becoming the 'Selfridges of Sport'."

More than 50 per cent of independent shareholders voted against Mr Hellawell’s re-appointment.

However, he remains in place after receiving the backing of 80.92 per cent of all shareholders, including Mr Ashley, who owns 55 per cent of Sports Direct.

The company endured a tortuous 2016 after the impact of sterling’s slump was compounded by Mr Ashley being hauled before MPs when it emerged some warehouse staff were paid below the minimum wage.

Last month, Mr Hellawell criticised what he claimed was an unfair crusade into its operations from unions, the media and politicians.