The SPFL says Hamilton were "given multiple extensions to this date to comply" with the requirement to acquire a bronze licence.

"The club admitted breaching these rules following the award by the Scottish FA of an entry-level licence due to the club's accounts being unaudited," the league stated.

Last month, the Scottish FA decided that neither owner Seref Zengin nor director Gerry were fit and proper to hold a position within football and the latter failed in an appeal against that ruling last week.

The club expressed "deep disappointment" that it was being forced "toward costly and protracted legal proceedings... at a time when the club is working tirelessly to stabilise its finances and protect its future".

While Strain is concentrating his efforts on challenging his exclusion, he was replaced on the board by Jonny Towers, a senior executive at The Funding Globe Ltd, a company that provided emergency financial support on Friday.

That was required after the club was advised by majority shareholder Zengin that, despite previous assurances, player and staff wages would not be paid.

John Rankin quit as head coach at the end of November as a result of...