Hibs facing Premier Sports Cup boot after SPFL slap them with charge for fielding ineligible player

Hibs have been charged for ‘breaching’ Premier Sports Cup regulations.

The Hibees are facing an early exit at the group stage of the competition after Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Morton. The Championship club took the lead before Ewan Henderson’s equaliser, but Lee Johnson ’s men surrendered the available bonus point after missing their first three penalties in a 3-1 shoot-out defeat at Easter Road.They now need Clyde to beat Falkirk this weekend in order to top the group, or hope that an unlikely set of results go their way elsewhere.

However, even their slim hopes of making the knock-out stages could be dashed before then after being slapped with a charge for playing an ineligible player. One member of Johnson’s squad was due to serve a League Cup suspension. But they took to the pitch during the clash with Morton and now the club are open to SPFL sanctions, with a hearing set for later today. Defender Rocky Bushiri picked up two bookings in previous three matches in the competition.

A club statement read: “ Hibernian FC can confirm that the Club has been charged by the SPFL for breaching rules and regulations in the Premier Sports Cup.

“During the final group stage match against Greenock Morton, the Club featured a player who was subject to a one-match suspension in the competition.There will be an SPFL hearing later today (Thursday 21 July, 2022) where the details will be discussed confidentially and an outcome will be reached.”

Stranraer are also in the dock for a similar cock-up. The League Two club field a player due to serve a Scottish FA suspension in their 2-2 draw with Forfar, with the Angus club going on to claim a bonus point on penalties.

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