Crisis hit Dundee suffer huge points blow

GLASGOW Scottish First Division side Dundee received a massive 25 points deduction for entering administration, officials announced on Monday.

By (AFP)

Published: Tue 2 Nov 2010, 10:05 PM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 4:28 AM

The Scottish Football League (SFL) also hit the club with a player registration embargo and the governing body said Dundee’s position would be reviewed if they were not out of administration by March 31.

Dundee are set to appeal but, if the deduction stands, it means they will plummet from fourth in the table on 14 points to bottom on minus 11 points — a huge 20 below current basement club Morton at the foot of what is the second tier of Scottish football, below the Premier League.

SFL chief executive David Longmuir said his organisation had to take action after Dundee, who are now set to be relegated to the Second Division, went into administration on October 14 after being unable to pay a tax bill which stood at 420,000 pounds (672,475 dollars).

“The SFL regrets the situation Dundee Football Club find themselves in for the second time in seven years,” Longmuir said.

“We are fully aware of the impact this situation has had on all concerned, especially players, staff and fans of the club.

“The SFL has a duty to protect the integrity and the ongoing smooth running of the league.

But Dundee administrator Bryan Jackson, who made nine players and management team Gordon Chisholm and Billy Dodds redundant, slammed the SFL punishments as “outrageous,” and promised the club would appeal against the sanctions.

“I shall be appealing this decision by the SFL as I think that this is an outrageous punishment for the club.

“With almost guaranteed demotion from the First Division it will be much more difficult to attract investment or retain players.

“This could also ultimately affect the income of other First Division teams as we will be unable to attract a good away support if there is nothing to play for.”

“Everyone involved at DFC is working hard to ensure that the club survives this administration but this penalty makes that situation much more difficult.”

He added: “Whilst I appreciate that the SFL had to be seen to act when the club fell into administration for the second time, it is questionable whether this punishment is not ultimately self-defeating by threatening the continued existence of the club.”

Back in 1962, before Glasgow giants Celtic and Rangers enjoyed the monopoly of the title that has become common in recent seasons, a Dundee side featuring Scotland striker Alan Gilzean were crowned Scottish champions and in the following season, the Dark Blues reached the semi-finals of the European Cup.