Ayr United may be forced to exit the SPFL Trust Trophy despite this week’s victory against Rangers B – as they fielded two ineligible players against the Ibrox side.
Kinlay Bilham and Alex Jeanes entered the park as substitutes in Tuesday night’s cup tie, which the Championship side won 3-0. But they should not have been near the matchday squad against Rangers’ youngsters, as the pair were on temporary transfers to Irvine Meadow and Girvan at the time they faced the Ibrox outfit.
Interim manager Jim Duffy’s side have been hit with a blow after beating the Ibrox youngsters, Rangers B potentially going through despite suffering a loss. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty images)
It has been confirmed that Ayr have been charged with an SPFL rule breach and a hearing has been arranged for this Monday.
A statement reads: “Ayr United have confirmed to the SPFL that they included Kinlay Bilham and Alex Jeanes in Tuesday’s SPFL Trust Trophy second-round tie against Rangers B at the C&G Systems Stadium when they were on temporary transfers to West of Scotland League clubs Irvine Meadow XI and Girvan respectively.
“Both players entered the field as 81st-minute substitutes in a match Ayr United won 3-0. As a result, Ayr United have been charged with breaching SPFL Rules and Regulations and the SPFL has arranged a disciplinary hearing for Monday September 20.”
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