MORTON have been censured and fined for approaching and fielding a player from a Greenock boys’ club without written permission.

The Scottish Football Association (SFA) confirmed that action had been taken against the Cappielow club for breaking rules.

It comes after Morton played a youngster from Broomhill Boys’ Club without receiving permission in writing.

They were subsequently summoned to appear before the SFA’s judicial panel on 11 September.

A spokeswoman for the SFA said: “Morton were found to have breached Disciplinary Rule 512 by failing to adhere to and follow paragraph 8A of the Scottish FA’s Registration procedures.” The regulation covers rules for approaches to and signing of Scottish Youth FA clubs’ registered players.

The spokeswoman told the Telegraph that Morton had approached the parents of Gavin Watt, then registered with Broomhill Boys’ Club, Greenock, and subsequently played him in a friendly match — without the written permission of Broomhill.

She said: “The sanction was a censure and £500 fine.” The penalty is suspended until the end of season 2014/2015, and will come into effect only if Morton breach Rule 512 again during that period.

Morton bosses have stressed that the SFA beaks did not believe the club had acted in an underhand fashion.

Club development consultant Warren Hawke, pictured, responding on behalf of the Youth Academy, said: “I am very disappointed that this matter was taken all the way to Hampden and to a hearing of this nature.

“We have been striving to build stronger relationships with all boys’ clubs over the past three years, as we understand the importance of strong grassroots development and positive relationships between these clubs and the senior local team.

“The scouting team at Morton spoke with the player’s coach and received initial positivity towards the approach; the coach even brought him to our training session.

“The SFA Disciplinary Panel stated they believed that we hadn’t done anything underhand and we believed we had followed these rules correctly, however this was only verbally and we should have informed the boys’ club in writing. We accept and respect the findings of the SFA panel. We have already addressed this matter and will ensure we adhere to their instructions in the future.”