Axe falls at Livingston

Administrators brought in to save Livingston today announced that they had been forced to sack six players.

Kroll informed Juan José Camacho, Francisco Quino, Cherif Toure-Maman, Tommy English, Guy Ipoua and Paul McLaughlin they were being made redundant.

Joint-administrator Fraser Gray said: “We regret to confirm that six players have been released from Livingston Football Club.

“It is unfortunate that this decision has been necessary as a result of the ongoing cash flow difficulties, particularly since the players, along with the staff, have shown total professionalism during this difficult period.”

But the administrators hinted that more players could follow if they fail to agree wage cuts.

He added: “In addition, we are in discussions with a number of other players with regard to their contracts, as we seek to make the right financial decisions, whilst attempting to keep as strong a squad together as possible.

“These tough decisions are vital as we seek to return the club’s finances towards break-even as part of our ongoing efforts to secure the future of Livingston FC.”

The Livi squad were called in for talks with administrators Kroll this morning to discuss impending redundancies.

The club went into administration last Tuesday but former chairman Dominic Keane secured an agreement that job losses would not start until after Sunday’s Tennent’s Scottish Cup tie with Spartans.

That meant the axe was expected to fall yesterday but the players were told they would need to wait for at least another 24 hours to find out if they still had a job.

Keane warned at the weekend that up to 10 players could leave as part of cost-cutting measures and the squad is likely to have a better indication today of who else might be released.