Dennis Canavan, MSP for Falkirk West

He made the statement on Friday, the day the SPL board decided the Bairns, who are now without a stadium, would not be going up.

The team secured top spot in the Scottish First Division before the end of April with a 4-1 victory over Arbroath.

But under SPL rules they should have had a 10,000-seat stadium to play in the top flight.

Mr Canavan, who represents Falkirk West in parliament, told BBC News Online Scotland: "I am very, very disappointed with the decision, I think it is an absolutely disgraceful one, and a travesty of natural justice.

"The SPL haven't given a satisfactory explanation and I now hope that Falkirk FC will seek legal advice and challenge this decision in law."

Ground share

Mr Canavan lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament before the May election calling on the SPL to admit the first division champions.

"That motion was supported by more than 70 MSPs - a majority of the Scottish parliament," he said.

Falkirk have plans to share with Scottish Second Division's Airdrie United at their Excelsior ground until a new stadium is built.

But the SPL board decided that that temporary provision was not acceptable.

Mr Canavan added: "I wasn't 100% confident that we would be promoted, but I was optimistic and hopeful. I think if there had been any sense of fair play then Falkirk should have got promotion as champions of the first division.

"In football and for that matter in any sport, promotion should be based on merit."

Motherwell FC were delighted with the outcome because as bottom place in the premier league they were threatened with relegation.