Dundee have had the transfer embargo imposed on them for entering administration controversially reinstated due to the intervention of the Scottish Football League.
The Dark Blues are currently appealing to the SFA against the 25-point deduction laid down by the SFL, a penalty which also carried the sanction of a bar on signing players while under the control of administrator Bryan Jackson.
The Dens men have already lost one appeal to the SFL and have taken their battle to the governing body, with a hearing likely to be convened this month.
It was thought that because a fresh appeal had been lodged all penalties would be suspended and, indeed, the First Division table currently shows Dundee sitting in second place, one point behind leaders Dunfermline.
However, the SFL wrote to the SFA last week to request the transfer ban be enforced during the appeal process and the governing body has agreed to reinforce it.
Therefore, Dundee manager Barry Smith, who is likely to face bids for star men Leigh Griffiths, Gary Harkins and Craig Forsyth during the transfer window, will not be able to draft in replacements if any players leave.
Chief executive Harry MacLean hit out at the SFL action, saying, “What the league have done is successfully lodge a letter with the SFA asking that the embargo remain in place, though they seem to have no problem with the points deduction being suspended.
“It is a move we felt was unnecessary and what it does is put us in a position where we have to think long and hard about any offers that come in.
“We know that if we lose anyone, we cannot sign a replacement and that makes it difficult to let players go.”Skirting the embargoDundee did manage to negotiate their way around the embargo for Sunday’s 2-0 win over Ross County by playing former player Steven Robb as a trialist.
Robb, who has also turned out for Dundee United, is without a club after leaving St Mirren last week and answered the call to help his former captain.
“I spoke to Lee Wilkie, who is working as an agent these days, when I found out what was happening at St Mirren,” Robb said. “Although they only told me last Tuesday, I knew for a while what was going on so I had already started making some plans.
“When I was speaking to Lee we both agreed that I just need games and coming to Dundee for a few weeks would be a good move. I spoke to Barry and he said that I can play three games as a trialist it helps him out and it helps me out.
“Barry was my captain when I was here and is someone I have always looked up to. If I can do him a favour, help Dundee out a wee bit and maybe put myself in the shop window, then it works out for everyone.
“Dundee are short of numbers and, with Nicky Riley injured, they were struggling a wee bit so I would like to think I did OK for the team.”
Robb has suffered more than his fair share of injuries during his career, but revealed he was in peak condition for the vast majority of last year and is ready to do a job for someone.
“In the whole of 2010 I missed a month with a groin strain and another week with a calf injury,” Robb said. “However, the injury-prone tag follows me around.
“I can understand it, but as soon as a manager puts me out of a team people automatically think, ‘Oh, there you go, he is injured again’.
“It is a hard thing to shake off and I don’t suppose I ever will, but I am fully fit and enjoyed playing a full 90 minutes on Sunday. I am just desperate to get signed up by someone.”
Meanwhile, the Dundee Football Club Supporters’ Society is a whisker away from raising a mighty £200,000 towards helping the club exit administration, with its current total standing at an impressive £199,244.