SPFL club learn outcome of appeal against 15-point deduction for 'insolvency event'

The League Two side were sanctioned by the Scottish Professional Football League earlier this month after the club breached financial regulations by appointing a provisional liquidator in July.

City have been plagued by financial problems in recent years, with a winding up order issued in December 2023 over unpaid tax before an agreement was reached with HM Revenue and Customs. The club were then deducted six points by the SPFL in January 2024 for failing to pay their players and were subsequently relegated from League One.

A mass exodus of players at the end of season 2023-24 left City with a squad of mainly loan players and youngsters but under manager Michael McIndoe, the team finished third in League Two last term before missing out on promotion via the play-offs.

But money issues remain with Companies House records showing that the club appointed a provisional liquidator in a winding up order on July 22. The appointment was swiftly terminated with the debt paid off in full, however, under SPFL rules, the appointment of a liquidator counts as an "insolvency event" and automatically triggers a 15-point deduction, which was imposed on August 5.

City responded by confirming that they would be appealing against the decision.

The case was heard by an SPFL Appeal Tribunal on Tuesday night but was dismissed by the independent panel and the 15-point deduction remains in place.

City, who play at Meadowbank Stadium, have collected seven points from the opening four league fixtures and sit bottom of the League Two table on -8 points, nine points behind Stranraer and Elgin City.