Hamilton Academical face being relegated from the Scottish Championship this weekend after they were deducted 15 points for breaching league rules.

John Rankin's side were seven points clear of bottom side Airdrieonians but their punishment means they are now eight adrift at the foot of the second tier with nine points left to play for.

The SPFL revealed the club had been charged with four offences of breaching rules, and say an independent disciplinary tribunal found the Lanarkshire club guilty.

According to the league, the offences relate a failure to pay six players and not acting in "good faith" when dealing with the SPFL about the removal of a transfer ban following previous financial issues.

The other charges relate to:

As well as a points deduction the club has been fined £9,000, £2,500 of which is suspended pending further indiscretions.

It was revealed earlier this month that Hamilton face leaving their New Douglas Park home because the ground is rented to them by the club's previous owners.

They face Queen's Park at home on Saturday and need to win to avoid immediately dropping into League 1.

However, they do have a right to appeal the decision to the Scottish FA, which throws up the possibility of the season without knowing which league Accies will be in next season.