Sports Direct chairman holds on with Ashley's backing

Sports Direct chairman Keith Hellawell was re-elected on Thursday after majority shareholder and chief executive Mike Ashley backed him, defying a majority of independent shareholders who once again wanted him gone. A resolution to re-appoint Hellawell was backed by 81 percent of the votes cast, the company said, although once Ashley's votes were excluded, Hellawell received the support of 46 percent of the votes of independent investors, while 54 percent were opposed.