D-day as Livi 3 face the beaks.

Byline: Ian Orr

LIVINGSTON will discover today what punishment they will face for falling into financial chaos.

The three-man consortium aiming to take over the crisis club will meet the SFL, who are compelled to take action.

Livi, who are being run by interim manager Donald McGruther of accountants Mazars, are pounds 1.8million in debt and will be placed in administration this month.

The SFL could demote them to the Third Division, deduct points or fine them.

The consortium of former Cowdenbeath owner Gordon McDougall, ex-Dumbarton chairman Neil Rankine and fans chief Ged Nixon vow they will withdraw their rescue package if Livi are relegated.

But with only three days remaining until the start of the season for lower-league clubs, Hampden chiefs are unlikely to risk fixture disruption by demoting the Lions.

The SFL have been accused of being too lenient on Livi - particularly by Airdrie, who stand to gain promotion back to the First Division should the West Lothian side cease to exist.

Last week former owner Angelo Massone handed over his controlling interest in the club after initially refusing to do so.

CAPTION(S):

RESCUE: Neil Rankine