D-Day for Hamilton Accies: All you need to know ahead of club's SFA appeal verdict

Daily Record

01-05-2025

It is D-day for Hamilton Academical Football Club as the Championship outfit await the outcome of their appeal to the SFA. John Rankin's side are currently staring at relegation this evening, with the SPFL imposing a 15-point deduction and a £9,000 fine for multiple rule breaches. The club will discover their fate later today and here is all you need to know ahead of the decision from Hampden. If the governing body decide to uphold the SPFL's judgement, Accies will be immediately relegated to League One before facing league leaders Falkirk tomorrow night in the final game of the season - a clash that could prove pivotal in the destination of the Championship trophy with Falkirk and rivals Livingston separated only by goal difference at the summit. Accies are pinning their hopes on a complete reprieve, hoping for a substantial financial fine instead of a points deduction. Should this happen, the club will soar from rock bottom on 21 points to seventh place on 36 points, going into the final round of matches. Such an ouctome would put Hamilton one point ahead of both Dunfermline and Queen's Park, while Airdrieonians, currently on 29 points, would be relegated automatically. Of course, a partial downgrading of the punishment is also a possible outcome and that could see Hamilton and Airdrie left battling it out in the final matches to determine who is automatically down and who will fall into the relegation play-off spot. While Accies travel to Falkirk, Airdrie are due to host an Ayr side already assured of a Premiership play-off spot, Queen's Park host play-off chasing Raith Rovers and Dunfermline travel to a Morton team with nothing but pride to play for, sitting safe in mid-table. Accies have been hit with four major breaches of the rules. They are: Sanction: Immediate 12 point deduction and £5,000 fine Sanction: £3,000 fine (£1,500 of which has been suspended) Sanction: Immediate 3 point deduction Sanction: £1,000 fine (fully suspended) Accies are not the only club to be hammered by the SPFL in recent months. Here's how their punishment compares to others found to have breached SPFL rules. Bonnyrigg Rose FC - 6-point deduction In November 2024, the League Two outfit took a six-point hit when their SFA licence was downgraded to Entry level, due to the gradient of the pitch at the club's New Dundas Park. It is an SPFL Rule that all clubs must have a Bronze level Scottish FA Club Licence. Edinburgh City FC - 6-point deduction In January 2024, the Citizens were hit with a six-point punishement related to the club's failure to pay players on time on 30 November 2023, and their failure to inform the SPFL they owed unpaid tax to HMRC. Dumbarton FC - 15-point deduction The Sons were punished in November 2024 for going into administration. The 15-point penalty was in line with rules surrounding clubs suffering an insolvency event. Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC - 15-point deduction A month prior to Dumbarton's woes, the Caley Jags suffered the same fate as they were docked 15 points for falling into administration. Hamilton Accies are prohibited from discussing the ins and outs of their punishment and the appeal while it remains ongoing. However, the timing of the judgement - coming as it did just three games before the end of the season - has angered Accies boss John Rankin. The decision not to fast-track the appeal hearing and leave it until 24 hours before the final day of the season has also drawn widespread criticism, with Accies manager John Rankin joined by the likes of Livingston boss David Martindale and Dunfermline gaffer Neil Lennon in condemning the time taken. Martindale also stated ahead of final day shootout for the title with Falkirk, that the Bairns would benefit 'massively' if Accies lose the appeal, given they will be relegated and disconsolate. Rankin said after Saturday's 3-0 defeat to Livingston: "This is unfair. I can accept a lot of things, but this is unfair. We get to three games left in the season, we deduct a team 15 points and we appeal. "Airdrie, Dunfermline, Queen's Park and ourselves are all involved in this. You've got three teams in League One who don't know who they are going to play in the play-offs either - so the sporting integrity is gone. "There is no rhyme or reason. Yeah, something has happened and we've obviously had to come up in front of the SPFL, but we are putting a lot of jobs and livelihoods at risk, there is no certainty for anyone. "When I look at it, it is unfair on about eight teams. The timing of it is wrong. Last week, when we were playing Queen's Park, none of us really knew what we were doing or what we were working towards." Rankin has also insisted none of his players have gone without wages. He stated last week: "Never once has a player come to me and said I am owed this amount and I am not going to play. That has never been the case. "It has always been the case that they are ready to play and focused on that. "I'm sure if somebody was owed money, they'd be the first to put their hand up and tell me that. "When every player tells you they are fully committed and not owed money then you've got to take their word for it." There is no set time for Hamilton to discover the outcome from Hampden, all we know is that it will likely be by the close of the business day. Rankin has stated earlier in the week, his players 'won't find out until after training'. A decision is likely expected between 5pm and 7pm. One thing is for sure, for Accies fans, players and staff alike, it will be a long and anxious wait and the outcome could have far-reaching consequences for the club in the months to come amid uncertainty about which stadium they will be playing football in next season and alledged outstanding debts over stadium rent.