[bots]

There is confusion surrounding the release of results from Mike Ashley's Sports Direct, after the firm failed to publish them early on Friday morning.

In a statement, Sports Direct said it was "still finalising" the results, but anticipated publishing them on Friday.

It is extremely unusual for results to be delayed in this way, and one analyst called events "an utter shambles".

The full year results have already been delayed once - originally they were due to be reported on 18 July.

At the time it blamed the delay on uncertainty in trading at its House of Fraser chain and increased scrutiny of its auditor. It also indicated that it might not achieve its profits forecast.

In a short statement released on Friday morning, Sports Direct said: "Unfortunately we are still finalising preliminary results.

"We anticipate that our annual results will still be released today, with a presentation to follow, and will update again at midday.

"Apologies for any inconvenience."

Neil Wilson, chief market analyst for Markets.com, said the events were "a total and utter shambles" that "betrays a number of problems at the business after [Mr] Ashley embarked on his rather random acquisition spree."

"Above all it betrays a total disregard for shareholders," he said.

UK-listed companies normally publish their results at or close to 07:00, before the London markets open at 08:00.

Sports Direct shares fell about 3% in early trading on the London stock market.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-49124375

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Very dodgy