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KILMARNOCK could be plunged into crisis with the SPFL set to probe a claim that a staff member forged a player’s signature in order to play him against Celtic.

Record Sport can reveal the league’s top brass have ordered an urgent investigation into the alleged rule breach which relates to the champions’ 3-0 win at Rugby Park last month. And, if found guilty, Killie could be hammered with a range of sanctions including a possible points deduction which could condemn Allan Johnston’s team to a nerve shredding relegation play-off.

It could also provide a Premiership lifeline to St Mirren, Ross County, Hibs and Partick Thistle and save them from going down.

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster refused to comment last night when Record Sport contacted him about the dramatic developments.

But we can confirm Doncaster has been briefed about the accusations of foul play and has personally ordered a full-scale inquiry.

The SPFL have not yet established which player is at the centre of the allegations.

It’s understood the SPFL probe will consider a claim that a Kilmarnock office worker witnessed another staff member forging the player’s signature in the lead up to a game against Celtic last month that the champions won 3-0.

It is alleged that the SPFL contacted Kilmarnock to alert them to the fact that a player’s signature was missing from a page of paperwork and that, unless it was submitted, the player could not be registered in time for the game in question.

It’s then claimed the missing signature was added but not by the player.

And – if this accusation is proven to be correct – then Kilmarnock could face the prospect of a points penalty which would almost certainly tip Johnston’s team into the dreaded play-offs.

The SPFL’s rule book demands that member clubs act in the utmost good faith at all times.

But Doncaster’s team will also investigate whether a more specific rule break, relating to registration of player’s regulation 72 which states: “Any Club which, in the opinion of the Board, unfairly traffics or deals in the Registration of any Player or otherwise abuses in any way the Registration, transfer, or Compensation systems shall be dealt with as the Board may determine.”

A source told us: “A wide range of sanctions, ranging from a slap on the wrist to expulsion, would be open to the SPFL board if these allegations are found to be true. But in this instance a points deduction would be one of the more likely outcomes.

“Points deductions would normally be considered if a club played an ineligible player – even if it was simply down to an honest mistake with paperwork.

“But in this case, it could be argued that the club not only fielded an ineligible player but also that a deliberate attempt was made to deceive the SPFL office bearers. If that were to be the case then it would be treated as a very serious matter.”

It’s understood the complaint was also made to club chairman Michael Johnston who pledged to carry out an internal investigation.

Record Sport attempted to contact a spokesperson for Kilmarnock but no-one from the club was available to comment.