Dundee United are set to receive no compensation following Lewis Neilson’s summer switch to Hearts after an SPFL tribunal ruled in favour of the Edinburgh outfit.
Neilson, 19, joined the Jambos after his deal with United expired, linking up with his former Tannadice boss Robbie Neilson.
He had been at Tannadice since the age of 10 and made 19 appearances for the club.
United were adamant that they offered Neilson a new deal prior to his departure, which would ordinarily ensure they would be due a sizeable development fee for their efforts.
Hearts, conversely, were steadfast in their belief that their Premiership rivals had failed to protect their right to compensation as his contract ticked down.
With the clubs unable to reach an amicable agreement, the SPFL were required to step in.
It is understood that a hearing took place in August, with United and Hearts’ legal teams stating their respective cases.
A lengthy period of deliberation followed as the clubs awaited a ruling.
And while the final decision is yet to be made public, Courier Sport has learned that the SPFL have ruled in favour of Hearts — and both sides have been informed of the verdict.
Although considering all options, United are now unlikely to receive any sort of fee for the player.
Bullish
Hearts sporting director Joe Savage stated in June: “To get (Neilson) on a free transfer is great business from our perspective. We’re overwhelmed by it.”
However, his Tannadice counter-part Tony Asghar was similarly bullish.
Speaking later that month Asghar said: “We feel that we’re due compensation as a football club. That’s with our legal team and the SPFL”.
He made it clear that United were ‘very confident’ the decision would go their way.
As such, the decision will come as a major blow for the Tannadice outfit, who have made it clear that profiting from their home-grown talents is a major part of their business model.
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