Australian club Perth Glory have been found guilty of salary cap breaches and have been banned from competing in next month's A-League finals.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) said that the Western Australian side were A$400,000 over the A-League salary cap of $2.55 million.
Glory, who are second on the table with three regular season matches to go, will also be fined A$269,000 for infringements over the past three seasons.
According to the FFA, the breaches included undisclosed salary payments outside players' contracts, payment to players' family members and accommodation and car benefits.
Chief executive David Gallop said that the FFA had no option but to punish the club.
"In making this announcement, I find myself in a position that I'd hoped to never be in again," he told the ABC.
"The finals series is just weeks away and the race for the premier's plate and the top six places should be the focus.
"FFA is determined that we cannot have a club deliberately, significantly and persistently breaching obligations playing for the championship."
The Glory have seven days to submit an appeal to an independent FFA disciplinary committee.
Perth Glory host Sydney FC in a Round 25 match on Friday evening.