Mark Miskimmin battles with Ruairdhi Higgins in the 1-1 draw in October

Derry City have been expelled from the remainder of this season's Setanta Sports Cup.

Earlier this month, Linfield said they would refuse to play Derry on 27 February after the Candystripes' move into administration in November.

Derry's two previous 1-1 draws against St Patrick's Athletic and Linfield will be allowed to stand.

St Pat's and Linfield will be awarded 3-0 wins from the remaining scheduled fixtures against Derry.

A statement said that the Setanta Sports Cup Organising Committee had ruled that "it would be inappropriate to invite the club to compete in the remainder of the tournament".

Disciplinary sanctions relating to the two previous matches involving Derry will remain in place.

The Setanta committee statement added that Linfield would face St Patrick's Athletic on 26/27 February.

Linfield chairman Jim Kerr said earlier this month that his club would not agree to face the Candystripes in the return fixture because "the Derry City that qualified for the competition has ceased to exist".

Kerr also added the competition was "dead in the water" although it appears that the Setanta committee are determined to soldier on.

Meanwhile, it was also revealed on Friday that Derry City had debts in excess of £600,000 when the club went into administration.

On Friday, it was announced that the club will remain in administration for the next 12 as attempts are made to pay off some of the money owed to creditors.

Duffy told BBC Newsline that the club's liabilities were estimated to be "in excess of £600,000".

However, he added that the club is also estimated to have "realisable assets of just under £300,000".

"There are a wide range of creditors including Inland Revenue," added the administrator.

"The (previous) directors are owed approximately £200,000."

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