Rangers B handed Challenge Cup win after Ayr United field ineligible players
The Championship side substituted on two ineligible players in their original 3-0 win
Last updated 20th Sep 2021
Rangers B have been handed a 3-0 win over Ayr United in the SPFL Trust Trophy after the Championship side fielded two ineligible players.
Kinlay Bilham and Alex Jeanes were substituted on as the Somerset Park side won the game 3-0 last week.
However the pair should not have played as they were loaned out and registered to West of Scotland League clubs Irvine Meadow XI and Girvan.
The Ibrox second-string side should now face an away trip to Alloa in the third round of the competition.
An SPFL statement read: "At a disciplinary hearing today (Monday 20 September 2021) a Committee of the Board of the SPFL acting as a Tribunal considered a complaint that Ayr United FC in Playing Kinlay Bilham and Alex Jeanes in their SPFL Trust Trophy match against Rangers B on Tuesday 14 September 2021 were in breach of the Regulations in respect of the competition.
"Both players were listed as substitutes and entered the field of play at 81 minutes. Ayr United FC admitted breaching SPFL Rules and Regulations by Playing the players in the match when they were, at the time of the match, Registered at the Scottish FA to West of Scotland League clubs Irvine Meadow XI (in the case of Mr Bilham) and Girvan (in the case of Mr Jeanes).
"The Tribunal imposed the following sanctions:
(i) the Club was reprimanded and warned as to future conduct; and
(ii) the result of the match was annulled and instead recorded as a 3-0 victory for Rangers B.
No financial penalty was imposed on Ayr United."
A statement from
A statement from Ayr United said: "Ayr United accepted the inadvertent breach of the regulation. Whilst the breach was in error, it was believed to be in spirit of the competition to give young players a chance.
"Ayr United accept the determination and will not appeal, even though it was believed that the punishment overwhelmed the crime.
"We can confirm that lessons have been learned and robust processes are now in place to ensure this does not occur again"