Hamilton hit with 15 point deduction by SPFL as sanctions put Accies on the brink of relegation

John Rankin's team now have a mountain to climb in order to survive although they are able to appeal the sanctions

Hamilton have been slapped with a 15 point deduction by the SPFL for breaching league rules, which could result in relegation barring a successful appeal.

The Lanarkshire club were hit with four charges by the league blazers, who have now confirmed their punishment.

Their crimes included a failure to report not playing players, not providing correct stadium ownership information, downgrading their Scottish FA licence and being late in submitting club membership criteria.

It means John Rankin's side are rotted to the bottom of the Championship table, right points adrift of bottom second bottom club Airdrie with nine points left to play for.

An SPFL statement read: "Hamilton Academical Football Club (the “Club”) have today (17 April) received a 15 - point deduction and been fined £9,000 after the Club was found to have breached multiple SPFL Rules by an independent SPFL disciplinary tribunal.

"The SPFL Board had issued four charges against the Club and the Club were found by the independent tribunal to have breached SPFL Rules and have been sanctioned as follows:

• Charge 1: Breach of Rules B1, E17 and E18 in relation to the failure to notify the SPFL of Remuneration Defaults in respect of six players and a failure to act with the utmost good faith in its representations to the SPFL Board regarding the lifting of a transfer embargo after previous Remuneration and Tax Defaults.

Sanction: Immediate 12 point deduction and £5,000 fine

• Charge 2: Breach of Rule D4.3.2 in relation to the provision of incorrect information regarding stadium ownership in the Club’s Season 2024/25 Membership Criteria submission.

Sanction: £3,000 fine (£1,500 of which has been suspended)

• Charge 3 : Breach of Rule D4.8 in relation to the downgrading of the Club’s Scottish FA Club Licence overall award from Bronze to Entry level.

Sanction: Immediate 3 point deduction

• Charge 4: Breach of Rule E28.7 in relation to the late provision of the Club’s Membership Criteria submission for Season 2025/26.

Sanction: £1,000 fine (fully suspended)

"The William Hill Championship table will be updated accordingly."