Cove Rangers hit with season-long registration ban over SPFL rule breaches

Cove Rangers handed season-long registration ban after SPFL rule breaches

Cove Rangers have been placed under a season-long player registration embargo and fined by the SPFL after admitting to a series of rule breaches relating to a historic unpaid contractual payment.

The Scottish League One club said it is "considering all available options" after the league body imposed the sanction, which will remain in place until 31 May 2027.

What the SPFL found

The SPFL said Cove admitted "failing to make a historic contractual payment to a player when due and then failed to notify the SPFL that it had been in default of that rule".

The league added: "The club was also found to have provided incorrect information to the SPFL when it certified that it had no overdue payables to current or former players as at 31 January 2026."

Following the breaches, an independent tribunal imposed a registration embargo lasting until the end of May 2027, alongside a fine of £5,000 – of which £2,000 is suspended. The SPFL confirmed the club has since made full payment to the player involved.

Club response

In a statement, Cove Rangers said: "Cove Rangers FC acknowledges the SPFL's decision concerning a historic contractual payment from 2024 and subsequent reporting matters.

"The club is disappointed by the severity of the sanctions and is carefully reviewing the decision and considering all available options."

Where Cove stand

Paul Hartley's side are second bottom of League One, sitting a point above Queen of the South, after picking up just five points from their opening eight fixtures.