Wednesday 28 January 2015 11:43, UK
The Scottish Football Association has set aside two March dates to hear the Rangers and Mike Ashley cases.
Both Rangers and Ashley are facing notices of complaint over alleged rule breaches relating to his dual interest in the Ibrox club and Newcastle United.
An SFA statement confirmed Ashley's hearing will take place on March 2 and Rangers' case will be heard on March 16.
Newcastle owner Ashley has an 8.92 per cent stake in Rangers and a commitment to the SFA not to extend his shareholding beyond 10 per cent.
He twice loaned the Scottish Championship club money towards the end of last year, and the Ibrox board later appointed as chief executive Derek Llambias, who worked as Ashley's managing director at Newcastle.
Rangers this week announced a further £10m loan from Sports Direct, a company founded by Ashley and of which he remains majority shareholder.
Under the terms of that agreement Sports Direct can nominate two appointments to the Rangers board for the duration of the loan, and the debt will be secured against Murray Park, Edmiston House and Albion Car Park.
Ashley is accused of two rule breaches and Rangers three - among them Disciplinary Rule 19 which specifically addresses the subject of dual interest.
Disciplinary Rule 19 in full:
"Except with the prior written consent of the Board: (a) no club or nominee of a club; and (b) no person, whether absolutely or as a trustee, either alone or in conjunction with one or more associates or solely through an associate or associates (even where such person has no formal interest), who: (i) is a member of a club; or (ii) is involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management or administration of a club, or (iii) has any power whatsoever to influence the management or administration or a club, may at the same time either directly or indirectly:- (a) be a member of another club; or (b) be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management or administration of another club; or (c) have any power whatsoever to influence the management or administration of another club."
