Cove Rangers consider options after registration embargo imposed over SPFL rule breaches

Cove Rangers are “considering all available options” after having a season-long registration ban imposed upon them by the SPFL following rule breaches.

The league body say the Scottish League 1 club admitted “failing to make a historic contractual payment to a player when due and then failed to notify the SPFL that it had been in default of that rule”.

“The club was also found to have provided incorrect information to the SPFL when it certified that it had no overdue payables to current or former players as at 31 January 2026,” the SPFL said.

“Following these rule breaches by the club, the tribunal imposed a registration embargo which will remain in place until 31 May 2027 and a fine of £5,000 (£2,000 of which is suspended).

“The club has now made full payment to the player involved.”

Paul Hartley’s Cove are second bottom of League 1, a point above Queen of the South, after picking up five points from their opening eight fixtures.

In a statement, the club said: “Cove Rangers FC acknowledges the SPFL’s decision concerning a historic contractual payment from 2024 and subsequent reporting matters.

“The club is disappointed by the severity of the sanctions and is carefully reviewing the decision and considering all available options.”