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Caley Thistle reinstated to the Scottish Cup as Queen's Park are booted out for fielding an ineligible player


By Alasdair Fraser

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Caley Thistle are back in the Scottish Cup after Queen's Park were thrown out of the competition for fielding an ineligible player.

The Glasgow club had the penalty imposed at an Scottish FA disciplinary hearing today at Hampden Park, meaning the Inverness side will travel to face Livingston in the fifth round a week tomorrow.

Just two hours after Queen's beat Caley Jags 2-0 on Tuesday night, it emerged that Hearts loanee Euan Henderson should not have featured in the match.

The 22-year-old was brought in six days after the original clash was postponed in heavy snow at the Caledonian Stadium.

Scottish Cup rule 12.5 states only players signed for the first match can be involved in the rescheduled game.

The breach was discussed at Hampden today, with the decision issued at 4pm.

A Caley Thistle statement read: "The club can confirm that following the decision of this afternoons SFA Judicial Panel, we have been advanced into the next round of the Scottish Cup and we will now face Livingston away next Saturday 11th February at 3pm.

"Further details re ticketing will be announced as soon we have them confirmed."

The SFA were left with little choice but to hammer the Spiders, given precedents for the offence.

Brechin thought they had landed a big last-16 clash with Aberdeen in January 2008 after beating Hamilton Accies, but it was found that Michael Paton and Willie Dyer hadn’t been signed for the first showdown.

Dunfermline were similarly punished in January 2010 after fielding ineligible Calum Woods against Stenhousemuir.

Queen's Park also responded to the judgement.

Club president David Hunter said: “We have been advised by the Scottish Football Association that our participation in this season’s Scottish Cup is at an end.

"An error was made regarding the eligibility of a player who featured in Tuesday night’s game with Inverness Caledonian Thistle and we have accepted the SFA’s decision.

“It is a regrettable mistake. One we will learn from.

"Our team put on a tremendous display on Tuesday to win the tie and obviously today’s result is a hugely disappointing outcome.

"As upsetting as this matter is, it’s vital that we put this behind us quickly, move on and focus on our league campaign.”

The financial rewards of the Scottish Cup can make a huge difference to non-Premiership clubs in particular.

Caley Thistle declined to add to the club statement.


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