Hamilton Academical have had their relegation from the Scottish Championship confirmed after an independent tribunal dismissed their appeal against a 15-point deduction.
When imposed last month, the penalty for various breaches of Scottish Professional Football League rules took the South Lanarkshire club to the bottom of the table.
With one match remaining, away to leaders Falkirk on Friday, Accies are eight points behind Lanarkshire rivals Airdrieonians.
Accies chairman Jock Brown said in a website statement: “The club is obviously very disappointed at the outcome of the appeal to the SFA tribunal, where the decision of the SPFL tribunal was upheld with the result that the 15-point deduction stands.
“The board is prevented from making any further comment on the matter by SPFL regulations but will communicate further with supporters in early course.”
An independent disciplinary tribunal found Hamilton guilty of four offences, including the non-payment of players and not acting in “good faith” when dealing with the governing body about the removal of a previous transfer ban.
The other charges relate to:
Giving incorrect information to the league about stadium ownership
A late submission of their membership criteria for the season
Failing to meet the required standard of Scottish FA licence to participate in the league.
There was also a fine of £9,000, £2,500 of which is suspended pending any further indiscretions.
The appeal decision comes hours after Accies revealed that they are planning to leave New Douglas Park amid a row over stadium ownership and rental and move into Clyde’s former home at Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld.
