Hamilton Accies losing CAS Elite status confirmed by Scottish FA as players free to leave club

Pausing the Elite Academy programme for under-11s to 15s resulted in the club being stripped of its Club Academy Scotland status for under-17s and 19s

Scottish FA chiefs have confirmed that Hamilton Accies have been stripped of their Club Academy Scotland status, and won’t take part in the programme or Scottish Youth Cup this season.

The Broadwood club was unable to provide assurances to the Scottish FA licencing committee in areas including facilities, coaching qualifications and Child Wellbeing and Protection standards.

All players have had their registrations cancelled, and can leave the club. Other CAS clubs can register Accies’ CAS players, with the club not due any training compensation.

Hamilton Accies paused their Elite Academy programme for under-11s to 15s, resulting in the licence for under-17s and 19s being revoked.

A statement issued by the Scottish FA today read: “The Scottish FA can confirm that the decision has been taken by the Licencing Committee to refuse Hamilton Academical’s Club Academy Scotland award for 2025.

“The Professional Game Board therefore determined on Tuesday, August 12, that the club be removed from the CAS programme with immediate effect.

“Despite being provided with numerous opportunities to do so, the club was unable to provide assurances to the Licencing Committee in eight different key areas, including facilities, coaching qualifications and Child Wellbeing and Protection standards.

“All players in the Hamilton Academical CAS programme have now had their registrations cancelled by the Scottish FA, allowing those players to leave the club should they wish.

“The club will not retain any entitlement to training compensation in respect of any of those players.

“It has also been decided that, for season 2025/26 other CAS clubs can register these former Hamilton CAS players, notwithstanding that they may have already registered the maximum number of players permitted under CAS Regulations.

“These steps have been taken to facilitate opportunities for players affected by this situation, but parents and carers of any such player are invited to contact the Scottish FA, should they require any assistance with finding another club for their child to play at.

“The Scottish FA’s Wellbeing and Protection team is also committed to supporting the young players and their families, who may have been affected by this decision.”

Lanarkshire Live Sport contacted the club,, who declined to comment.