Ineligible player in action against Cove

Hearts have admitted to fielding an ineligible player in their 2-1 Betfred Cup win at Cove Rangers on Wednesday.

Ann Budge, chief executive of the Jambos, has revealed Andy Irving, who came off the bench in the 65th minute, was unregistered due to an administrative error.

The club’s fate will be determined at a hearing with the SPFL panel on Monday.

Clubs have previously been eliminated from the Scottish Cup for falling foul of the same rule but with the tie being Hearts’ opening match of a round-robin group format, the outcome of the hearing is unclear.

In a statement, Budge said: “Due to an admin- istrative error on the club’s part at the end of the January transfer window, Andrew Irving entered the field of play in the 65th minute as an unregistered player.

Andrew was given an extension contract in January and his extension paperwork was all properly completed and in order.

“However, it was not loaded onto the online SFA registration system at the time. His official registration, therefore, ran out on June 9.

While stringent processes are already in place to try to prevent something of this nature occurring, clearly mistakes can happen.

“An additional step in our internal procedures will be implemented immediately to try to ensure this cannot happen again.”

Andy Irving