SFA UPHOLD FALKIRK FINE FOR RAY RULE
FALKIRK have lost their appeal against the £40,000 fine they received for breaking SPFL rules over their illegal approach for Ray McKinnon.
An SFA Appellate Tribunal has upheld the league body’s decision to find the Bairns guilty of breaching rules D9 and D10 and to mete out the financial sanction.
However, a further £20,000 penalty that was suspended for two years has been quashed.
Morton lodged a complaint with the SFPL after McKinnon quit his Cappielow post after just three months in charge to join the Bairns last August.
McKinnon also took No.2 Darren Taylor and head of performance Graeme Henderson with him.
An SPFL tribunal consisting of Motherwell chief executive Alan Burrows, Arbroath director Anne McKeown and Rory Bannerman – solicitor and chair – heard evidence from all the parties in BY ALAN MARSHALL November before delivering their verdict in February – stating the fine should be paid to the SPFL.
Following their failure to overturn that decision through the SFA the Bairns have 28 days to hand over the money.
An SFA spokesperson said: “The decision of SPFL to find that Falkirk FC breached rules D9 and 10 is upheld. The decision of SPFL to fine Falkirk FC £40,000 is upheld.
“The decision of SPFL to impose a suspended fine of £20,000 is quashed.”
Prior to the appeal being heard, Morton and Falkirk had reached their own confidential agreement regarding McKinnon’s controversial switch.
Bairns director Lex Miller brokered the truce and said: “Morton felt wronged, we felt we hadn’t done anything wrong but we discussed it all and came to an amicable resolution.”