POLICE are investigating an ‘elaborate fraud’ that has targeted Hamilton Academical FC.
The Scottish Premiership club say they’ve lost a ‘substantial’ amount of money as a result.
Police Scotland and the club’s bank are looking into the situation, with Accies Directors injecting funds into the club to ensure it stays fully operational.
Chairman Les Gray said in a statement: “At this point it is imperative that we remain calm and work together as we go through one of the most difficult situations we have faced as a club.
“In the interim, the Directors intend to inject funds to meet the club’s ongoing obligations until the investigation is complete to ensure continuity.
“It is our intention to host a media briefing to go into more detail when the initial legal and banking investigations reveal the facts. This will allow us to give full disclosure of the event.
“No further comment will be made at this time as the Police investigation continues.”
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “This is clearly a very serious and unfortunate situation and everyone in the game will hope it can be resolved quickly.
“We will be monitoring the situation closely and working in conjunction with Hamilton academical in the days and weeks ahead.”
SFA chief Stewart Regan tweeted: “Shocked to hear this news from @acciesfc. Sincerely hope the investigation delivers a positive outcome for the club.”
The SPFL warned clubs to guard against online fraud in August after Annanfailed to receive an £18,000 payment from the league at the end of last season.
The funds had instead been paid into a fraudulent account and police launched an investigation after the money was retrieved.
Hamilton have the lowest budget of any club in Scotland’s top flight and their average home attendance is about 2,500.
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