Troubled East Kilbride-based Goals Soccer Centres plc said on Thursday it has “commenced a process to invite offers for the business and assets of the company.”

Earlier in August, Goals said it expected its shares to be delisted from London’s AIM market after an investigation into its accounting uncovered “improper behaviour” going back almost a decade.

Goals said later that “actions undertaken” by former CFO Bill Gow and former CEO Keith Rogers “form part of the current investigations of the company into the mis-statement of historic financial statements.”

The two former directors have strenuously denied any wrongdoing.

Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct holds a near 19% stake in Goals Soccer Centres.

On Thursday, in a stock exchange statement, Goals said: “The company confirms it has today commenced a process to invite offers for the business and assets of the company.

“This process is being conducted by Deloitte LLP, and follows their previous appointment as advisors to assess future corporate options for the company, announced on 18 June 2019.

“There is no certainty as to the timetable or outcome of this process.

“Shareholders will continue to be kept informed of developments as appropriate.”