SPL - Livingston relegated, future unsure

Eurosport - Thu, 06 Aug 09:22:00 2009

The future of Livingston was thrown into doubt after the Scottish Football League relegated them to the Third Division.

FOOTBALL A general view of Almondvale, home of Livingston - 0

The decision was made following a meeting of the SFL's management committee at Hampden at which the debt-ridden club were found to be in breach of the league's insolvency rules.

This is the latest twist in what has been a traumatic few weeks for the West Lothian club, who appeared to have been hauled back from the brink of extinction less than a week ago when the SFL gave the thumbs-up to a rescue package led by former Cowdenbeath owner Gordon McDougall and ex-Dumbarton chairman Neil Rankine.

However, the league warned Livi could still face a range of sanctions for commencing insolvency proceedings and they today elected to follow the precedent set when Gretna went into administration a year ago.

An SFL statement read: "At a meeting today of the league management committee, Livingston Football Club were found to be in breach of rule 76.2 relating to insolvency.

"The sanction imposed was to place Livingston Football Club in the Third Division for season 2009-10.

"We believe a Third Division placement offers Livingston Football Club the chance of continuing their membership of the SFL."

Livingston's relegation has led to Airdrie United and Cowdenbeath being promoted from the Second and Third Divisions, respectively.

The club has the right to appeal the decision in the next 10 days and with the league due to kick-off this weekend, that would almost certainly lead to the postponement of Livingston's, Airdrie's and Cowdenbeath's opening-day fixtures.

PA Sport

Comment 1 - 13 of 13

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  1. I have sympathy for the fans , they may be few but it­ is thier own local club . It is not the first time that­ a foreign owner with no real feeling for a club has­ left them in a percarious position . Looks like Airdire­ are once again benefiting from another clubs misfortune­ . They are like vultures picking over a bone

    From W, on Thu 6 Aug 10:32AM

  2. thiswould have happened to any club who dont get there­ house in order so why should livi be any different but­ the spl must keep this in mind when they look at all­ situations in the spl and be consistant ,lets see what­ hearts get before we complain x

    From paul, on Thu 6 Aug 1:47AM

  3. Perhaps its time for some sort of consolidation amongst­ scottish football teams?

    From west_side_2nite, on Thu 6 Aug 12:34AM

  4. the famine is over septic go home

    From davejones19771000, on Thu 6 Aug 12:07AM

  5. see you later livi

    From davejones19771000, on Thu 6 Aug 12:07AM

  6. airdrie back up again,,,,,

    From Jamie, on Wed 5 Aug 11:37PM

  7. scottish league dither again
    should have been done­ sooner
    feel sorry for the livvi fans
    they have had too­ put up with lots of c%&*p

    From duncan h, on Wed 5 Aug 11:11PM

  8. Windae licker is a @#$%!! Always negative!! Go and­ pick tatties ya warmer!!

    Good luck livi!

    From Pocket Rocket, on Wed 5 Aug 11:01PM

  9. good!!they should have done it weeks ago.get it up ye­ mcdougal!

    From alanr64, on Wed 5 Aug 10:49PM

  10. bye bye

    From Paul G CHAMPION WINDAE LICKER, on Wed 5 Aug 10:12PM

  11. boo!

    From grant s, on Wed 5 Aug 9:34PM

  12. another nowhere team says ta ta!!

    From d.mcarthur302, on Wed 5 Aug 9:00PM

  13. good riddence livi

    From James Rendall, on Wed 5 Aug 8:32PM
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