The dark clouds over New Douglas Park have thickened once again. Hamilton Academical have been hit with a fresh six-point deduction by the SPFL, marking their third points penalty in what has become a catastrophic 2025/26 campaign.
The latest sanction stems from the club’s failure to pay players’ wages on time and in full on December 31, 2025. This latest blow brings their total accumulated loss for the season to a staggering 21 points.
The Growing Penalty Pile
Accies fans could be forgiven for losing count of the transgressions. This season’s “league table of shame” for the club now looks like this:
- October: -6 points for paying trialists while under a transfer embargo.
- December: -9 points for failing to secure a bronze-level SFA club licence.
- February: -6 points for wage defaults and unpaid tax obligations.
The deduction leaves Hamilton second bottom of League One on just 17 points—sitting precariously three points above Kelty Hearts and two behind Cove Rangers. Without these penalties, the club would be comfortably sitting in the promotion play-off conversation.
A Legacy of the Past?
In a glimmer of hope for the supporters, the SPFL confirmed that these punishments relate to the actions of the previous ownership. The club officially changed hands in early January, and the league governing body stated they are now “working constructively” with the new board to stabilise the troubled institution.
However, the damage on the pitch is done. After being relegated from the Championship last season following a 15-point penalty, Accies now face the very real prospect of back-to-back relegations if the new board cannot find a way to stop the bleeding.
🗣️ ACCIES FANS: IS THERE A WAY BACK?
The new board has inherited a mess, but the survival fight is still on. We want to hear from the Hamilton faithful:
- Do you believe the new ownership can steer the club to safety despite the -21 point handicap?
- Is the SPFL being too harsh on a club that has already changed leadership?
Share your analysis and your survival predictions in the comments below! 👇
Co-Founder of Fitba Focus and MMA UK. A lifelong Rangers fan and former player, he combines over a decade of sports media experience with a deep-seated passion for the Scottish game. From the Ibrox stands to the lower-league terraces, Frankie is dedicated to providing honest, fan-led analysis of the full Scottish pyramid.
