The Disciplinary Tribunal convened in accordance with the Judicial Panel Protocol to consider the case involving Livingston Football Club made the following determination

Alleged Party in Breach: Livingston Football Club.

Disciplinary Rule(s) allegedly breached:
 
Rule 1 – By failing to act towards the Scottish FA with the utmost good faith by not disclosing to the Scottish FA that Neil Rankine, shareholder of Livingston 5 Ltd, the parent company of Livingston FC, also holds interests in East Fife FC;

Rule 7 – By providing false, misleading and/or inaccurate information in respect of Neil Rankine’s eligibility as a fit and proper person by declaring in an Amendment to Official Return form, dated 11th November 2013, that there were no matters to be brought to the attention of the Scottish FA in terms of Article 10, nor any interest in any other club in membership of the Scottish FA in terms of Article 13, the truth being that Neil Rankine then held and continues to hold interests in East Fife FC in addition to his shareholding in Livingston FC through Livingston 5 Ltd;

Rule 21 -  By holding interests in East Fife FC, through Neil Rankine, shareholder of Livingston 5 Ltd, whereby Livingston FC holds power to influence the management or administration of East Fife FC;
 
Rule 86 – Not acting in the best interests of Association Football by not disclosing to the Scottish FA that Neil Rankine, shareholder of Livingston 5 Ltd, also holds interests in East Fife FC.

Outcome: All breaches established. The tribunal considered that the imposition of a substantial financial penalty would not be in the best interests of the club or the wider interests of Scottish football. The panel did, nonetheless, require to illustrate the gravity of the breaches and imposed a ‘global sanction’ in respect of the four breaches, which arise out of a set of circumstances. The global sanctions are determined in two parts:
 
1. Fine of £5000 imposed on Livingston FC.
 
2. Livingston FC prevented from registering any player, either on loan or permanently, or extending the contract of any player currently registered with the club until such time as the club has resolved the ongoing breach of Disciplinary Rule 21.
 
If the ongoing breach is not resolved it would be a matter for the Compliance Officer to consider raising further proceedings.