Goals Soccer Centres reports higher UK sales

(Reuters) - Mike Ashley-backed Goals Soccer Centres <GOAL.L> on Friday reported a 10.8% rise in UK gross comparable sales for the 25 weeks ended June 22 and said its sites in the United States were trading strongly.

The five-a-side football pitch operator, which has locked horns with Ashley's Sports Direct <SPD.L>, also said its net debt levels remain around 29 million pounds.

Sports Direct owns a 19% stake in Goals Soccer Centres.

Recently, Sports Direct voted to remove the board of Goals Soccer Centres and urged the board to allow corporate investigator Kroll to carry out a "cradle to grave" report into the company's finances.

(Reporting by Tanishaa Nadkar in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)