Points deductions, possible demotions and restrictions on signing new players: what administration would look like for Inverness Caley Thistle
For most clubs up and down the country, administration is a bogeyman they want to avoid at all costs.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle fans, on the other hand, stated at last week’s Supporters’ Trust open meeting that they would prefer that option over the board of directors’ plan to move first team training to Kelty.
There was an emergency board meeting on Monday night in the wake of Ross Morrison’s resignation as chairman, where it was believed the plan to move to Fife was due to be on the table for discussion, with a possible U-turn in the works.
However, should they proceed with the Kelty switch, fans will double down on a boycott of season tickets and merchandise that Morrison said would see the club go bust.
What would administration look like for Caley Thistle then?
The most obvious penalty would come in the form of a points deduction. As ICT have not been the subject of what is termed an “insolvency event” in the last five years, they would be deducted 15 points for the 2024/25 season, and five for the 2025/26 campaign.
However, their fate could be worse than just a points deduction – even one that would have a crippling effect on the club’s fortunes next season.
In the SPFL’s articles of association, article 36 states that if a member takes, suffers or is subject to an insolvency event then the member will “on such conditions and participat(e) in such division as the board may in its absolute discretion think appropriate.”
That would mean the SPFL would be within their rights to demote ICT to League Two – and it is unclear whether they could even be kicked out of the SPFL altogether.
Should that be the case, Inverness may have to apply for membership to the Highland League or, if that was to be rejected, the North Caledonian League.
Administration would also significantly affect player recruitment.
Although likely to form a part of the club’s transfer strategy anyway, the Inverness would be limited to signing new players who are already free agents, or players who are under-20 years old unless given special dispensation.
They would be allowed to retain senior players who were under contract with the club at the beginning of the insolvency event, however Caley Thistle have very few senior players under contract for next season.
