FALKIRK FC have been fined £60,000 over the serious rule breaches they commmitted in hiring Ray McKinnon as their manager hours after he walked out on Morton.

The details of the penalty were released today in a full written decision which makes damning reading for both Falkirk and McKinnon, who sparked uproar when he quit Cappielow in September just three months after taking charge.

An SPFL sub-committee, chaired by an experienced independent solicitor, had found Falkirk guilty last December.

They determined they had breached and/or failed to comply league rules in relation to the employment of McKinnon, his number two Darren Taylor and fitness coach Graeme Henderson.

A further hearing was held on 15 January, for the sub-committee to consider how to punish them.

It decided on a £60,000 fine - £20k of which is suspended until February 2021.

The full written decision, released this afternoon, said: "We consider that there were three flagrant breaches of the rules by Falkirk with regard to inducement, that left Morton without three key employees without notice.

"We consider that financial penalties are the appropriate way to deal with these breaches."

The panel says it was satisfied that McKinnon 'at very least' authorised his representatives to 'look at other employments for him, despite the terms of the contract that he had entered into with Greenock Morton FC and was bound by'.

It went on: "It is clear to us that both Messrs McKinnon (and Taylor) were directly or indirectly induced, or attempted to be induced on behalf of Falkirk FC, without consent of Greenock Morton, to terminate their respective contracts of employment with a view to offering employment by Falkirk FC."

It added: "Mr McKinnon was particularly unimpressive in his evidence and we were unable to accept that he was a sufficiently credible witness for his evidence to be relied upon by us..."

Falkirk has the right of appeal to a Scottish FA Appellate Tribunal in accordance with the SPFL rules and the Scottish FA Judicial Panel Protocol.

Morton are yet to comment on the ruling.

In a statement, Falkirk FC said: "We have been advised that this money is to be paid to the SPFL Trust.

"We remain extremely disappointed with this decision and maintain the view that both ourselves and our management team acted appropriately at all times.

"At present, we are considering our position and will speak with our legal advisors regarding our potential options including appeal."