Clyde FC charged at disciplinary hearing

Four points have been deducted from Clyde FC after it was discovered they were playing an ineligible player at a disciplinary hearing yesterday.

A sub-committee of the SPFL Board charged the club with playing Declan Fitzpatrick in two Ladbrokes League Two matches.

The matches were played against Albion Rovers on Saturday 16th February, and on Saturday 23rd February 2019 against Queen’s Park.

Clyde FC won 1-0 against Albion Rovers and drew 1-1 against Queen's Park, but the three points for a win were awarded to Albion Rovers and Queen’s Park respectively, and the four points previously awarded to Clyde were withdrawn.

The club have also been fined £1500 as a result.

Club Chairman, David Dishon commented:

"We are deeply disappointed with the outcome of yesterday's hearing as, despite the fact that we admitted the breach of the SPFL rules, we feel that we put forward a robust and cogent case as part of our defence. The case concerned a player, Declan Fitzpatrick, who has been registered with Clyde since September 2018 and was recently on loan at Clydebank.

"The breach occurred as a result of a genuine oversight and a gap in the administrative procedures. This error was not the fault of any individual.

"We feel that the sanction imposed was unprecedentedly harsh.

"As a result of yesterday’s outcome, we have instigated a full review of our roles & responsibilities and logistics in match day operations and we have put in place additional checking procedures to ensure there is no repeat of this breach.

"I understand that the supporters will share our devastation at this news, but we have to try to stayed focused on the rest of the season. For that reason, the Board and I have rejected the offer of two directors to resign from their position.

"Promotion is still a realistic target and that remains our priority. We will continue to give the management and the players our support as they push for promotion.

"The Club now has seven days to decide whether or not to appeal the decision and we will take stock over the weekend and consider our next action. We will make no further comment until the end of this process.