Dunfermline kicked out of Scottish Cup

Dunfermline were kicked out of this season’s Scottish Cup on Thursday after fielding an ineligible player in last weekend’s 7-1 fourth round thrashing of Stenhousemuir and breaking other rules.

Calum Woods came off the bench in the second-half at East End Park despite the Scottish Football Association’s official suspension list declaring him banned for the match.

But after Thursday’s emergency SFA meeting it emerged Dunfermline were also guilty of further rule breaches, including submitting an inaccurate team line-up and altering a named substitute.

The Pars’ ejection means they are set to miss out on a potentially lucrative home tie with Celtic, who must first beat Morton in the fourth round.

Stenhousemuir are now in line to take Dunfermline’s place although the First Division club did say Thursday they would appeal.

“DAFC would, first and foremost, sincerely apologise to all their fans for this situation,” said a Dunfermline statement.

“DAFC do believe, however, that being expelled from the Scottish Cup is excessive and do intend to appeal the SFA decision.”