HIBERNIAN have been eliminated from the Premier Sports Cup after their opponents on Wednesday night, Greenock Morton, were awarded a 3-0 walkover victory by the tournament's organisers.
Lee Johnson's side were held to a 1-1 draw at home before the Championship club triumphed 3-1 in the penalty shoot-out to claim a bonus-point win.
However, Morton have now been awarded all three points after Hibs were sanctioned by the SPFL for fielding an ineligible player at Easter Road.
Centre-back Rocky Bushiri picked up yellow cards in the games against Falkirk and Bonnyrigg Rose and so should have served a one-match suspension, but instead played the full 90 minutes in Leith.
A statement published by the SPFL following a meeting on Thursday said the governing body has "reprimanded and warned" Hibs over their future conduct, as well as issuing a £5000 fine (of which £4000 is suspended).
The sanction means that Falkirk now occupy top spot in Group D with seven points, while Hibs - who have played all four group stage fixtures - have only six, guaranteeing their elimination from the League Cup.
A club statement read: "Hibernian FC can confirm that the club has been penalised by the SPFL for breaching rules and regulations in the Premier Sports Cup.
Hibernian FC can confirm that the Club has been penalised by the SPFL for breaching rules and regulations in the Premier Sports Cup.https://t.co/ATQ21Hnbyo
— Hibernian Football Club (@HibernianFC) July 21, 2022
"During the final group stage match against Greenock Morton, the club featured a player who was subject to a one-match suspension in the competition.
"Following an SPFL hearing on Thursday 21 July 2022, it has been confirmed that last night’s game has been recorded as a 3-0 win to the cinch Championship side.
"Hibernian FC would like to apologise to its supporters, to Greenock Morton, and to the SPFL for the rule breach.
"The administrative error has been investigated internally, and whilst processes are already in place to prevent issues of this nature from occurring, additional steps have been added to ensure this doesn’t happen again."
