Dundee United, who are already involved in a row with Partick Thistle over compensation for the recruitment of manager Jackie McNamara, are in trouble with another Glasgow side over money.
This time it is Queen’s Park, who have been left reeling after they claimed that a closed door friendly between the sides was offered as payment for the development of Hampden youngsters instead of a bill that could total nearly £40,000.
The Tannadice club are already keen on Spiders winger Aidan Connolly, the son of former Tangerines player Paddy, and he is expected to sign for them once his contract expires on May 31.
Fullback Andrew Robertson and striker Lawrence Shankland are now on McNamara’s radar as well.
Ahead of any moves being completed, Queen’s Park hand delivered a letter to the SFA’s football governance director, Andrew McKinley, asking that the deals are not registered until compensation has been agreed as they believe United will wriggle out of paying a development fee for a second time.
The amateur side remain angered that when United signed Barry Douglas three years ago they found a loophole to withdraw their offer of a fee due to the Queen’s amateur status.
To add to their frustration, they claim Tannadice chairman Stephen Thompson has repeatedly ignored phone calls and letters from Queen’s Park staff, including committee member Malky McKay, father of the Cardiff boss of the same name.
Queen’s Park want to ensure that none of the players United are interested in can have a move registered until the SFA close the loophole that allowed United to avoid payment, especially as other clubs do what is seen as the honourable thing and pay up.
McNamara and Hampden head coach Gardner Speirs have held amicable discussions and what could seen as a very thin olive branch of a closed-door friendly was offered.
That, however, will not be acceptable to the committee that run the club.
A spokesperson at Hampden said: “Two of the three players that Dundee United are reportedlyinterested in have been in our youth system for five years and the other for three. If they were to move to a club in England, we would get fees totalling close to £40,000 without question whereas if they move to Scotland it is up to the discretion of the club,” he added.
“Other SPL sides and a First Division side have made payments in recent years for our young players but Dundee United, after offering a fee during the negotiations for Barry, opted out of doing it.
“We have also never had the courtesy of a reply from the club during that time. We have now asked the SFA to get involved and ensure that for any future moves we receive an appropriate recompense.”