Crisis-hit Dundee FC have been dealt a crushing blow by the SFL for falling back into administration a 25-point deduction and a ban on signing new players.
The punishment, confirmed today in a meeting at Dens Park, will be seen as a serious threat to the club’s survival.
It leaves the Dark Blues on -11 points in the league.
In a statement, the SFL said it regretted the situation at Dens, adding, “We are fully aware of the impact this situation has had on all concerned, especially players, staff and fans of the club.”
But it insisted it has “a duty to protect the integrity and ongoing smooth-running of the league. Our members and stakeholders expect nothing less.”
It said Dundee were “guilty of conduct contrary to league rules, the interests of the league and its member clubs.”
It also plans to review the situation on March 31, 2011. If Dundee are still in administration, the SFL board “will deal with the club as it sees fit.”
While stressing that the Dark Blues have the right of appeal, the statement also contains some stinging criticism of how the club has been run.
“We are of the opinion that lessons are not being learned. For example, clubs have to realise that, going forward, they cannot treat their HMRC obligations as something akin to a credit card,” it said.
The SFL plans to introduce new measures, including an “early warning system”, to prevent a repeat of the Dens Park club’s difficulties.
The Dark Blues entered adminstration on October 14 and have been waiting to hear how the SFL would react ever since.
Administrator Bryan Jackson spent 75 minutes before the SFL board on October 28.For full reaction to the SFL announcement, see Tuesday’s Courier.