Spartans banned from SFA South Region Challenge Cup

Spartans, who were eliminated from this season’s William Hill Scottish Cup for failing to complete the correct paperwork in respect of long-serving striker Keith McLeod, have been informed that they have also been excluded from the SFA South Region Challenge Cup.

Spartans, the winners of this prestigious competition for the past three seasons, beat Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale 4-3 in the second round on October 15 and McLeod was part of that winning line-up.

The Competitions Committee of the SFA South Region Challenge Cup, which consists of representatives from the South of Scotland League as well as the East of Scotland League, decided to remove Spartans from the Cup for fielding a “not validly registered player”, who was Keith McLeod.

Spartans, however, have seven days in which to lodge an appeal.

Craig Graham, the Spartans chairman, said: “We are considering an appeal which will, if we decide to go down that route, be sent directly to the Scottish Football Association.”

Spartans were fined £3600 by the SFA, which was suspended for 12 months, for playing McLeod in their 2-0 win against the North of Scotland Super league champions Culter in October, and they were also denied a lucrative home third-round tie against SFL Division One side Partick Thistle.