East Kilbride get pyramid play-off bye as Buckie Thistle BANNED from taking part over SFA licensing criteria

East Kilbride have been handed a bye to the SPFL pyramid play-off final after the SFA announced Highland League champions Buckie Thistle have been BANNED from taking part.

A rule change implemented earlier this year requires SPFL club to have a Bronze License to be able to compete in the SPFL and Buckie do not meet the grade.

The SFA have stated they have been in constant dialogue with the Highland League champions over certain issues required to meet the membership criteria, but these had not been met by the deadline set by the licensing committee and, therefore, the match scheduled with East Kilbride on Saturday will no longer take place.

It means Mick Kennedy's men will cruise straight into the play-off final next month against the club who finishes bottom of the SPFL, which is currently Clyde.

A Scottish FA spokesperson said: “The Licensing Committee considered a range of eligibility criteria in respect of Buckie Thistle’s application. Unfortunately, the submission did not meet the requirements for the award of a Bronze licence.

“All SHFL and SLFL clubs were written to in December last year to advise that the audit process would be accelerated for those clubs with a chance of promotion, in light of the SPFL’s updated membership criteria requirements.

"The Scottish FA’s club licensing department has been in regular dialogue with Buckie Thistle since then to notify the club of, and provide ample time to address, issues highlighted in their Club Licensing Report.

"Unfortunately, these issues were not addressed by the club prior to yesterday’s licensing committee decision."

An SPFL spokesperson added: “Every club was made aware in summer last year of the need to have a Scottish FA Bronze Licence to participate in the