Scottish clubs increase insolvency punishments

Rangers and Hearts have both suffered insolvency

Scotland's senior football clubs have voted to stiffen the punishments for becoming insolvent.

Any club that enters administration will receive an immediate 15-point deduction, with a five-point deduction the following season.

And, if there's a second case within five years, the penalties would be 25 points straight away, with 15 deducted the following season.

Presently, there is a 15-point loss for a first instance and 25 for a second.

The latter applies should it occur within a five-year period.

The Scottish Professional Football League said that the amendment to its rules "was approved overwhelmingly by clubs" at its meeting at Hampden Park.

Dundee, Dunfermline Athletic, Hearts, Livingston and Rangers have all entered administration during the last six years.

Previous to that, Airdrieonians, Clydebank, Greenock Morton, Gretna and Motherwell have also suffered financial problems since 2000.

Dundee and Livingston have both been in administration twice.