The proposed takeover of five-a-side football operator Goals Soccer Centres was shown the red card today after shareholders failed to back the £73.1 million bid.
Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, which is one of the world's biggest pension funds and owns lottery operator Camelot, had won the support of the directors of East Kilbride-based Goals.
But independent shareholders of Goals, which operates 44 sites, rejected the plan at a meeting today, with 71.4% of votes going for the deal, below the 75% that was needed for it to be passed.
The result triggered a 20% fall in its share price today as the group said it was not in talks with any other potential buyers.
Earlier this month, Patron Capital Partners, which owns a controlling stake in Goals rival Powerleague, pulled out of the race to buy the firm.
