Dundee are around 10 days away from learning what sanctions the Scottish Football League may impose on them for entering administration.
The Dark Blues plight was discussed at a gathering of the SFL board at Hampden on Thursday which chief executive Harry MacLean and former director George Knight are understood to have attended.
Now a special further meeting has been convened for next Thursday when administrator Bryan Jackson will be questioned over how the Dark Blues came to find themselves in the financial mess they do and their survival prospects.
Should Dundee then be found to have breached SFL rules, a decision on the punishment to be handed down by the League will likely be reached in the early part of the following week.
The SFL have wide ranging powers in this area but it’s widely anticipated they are facing the prospect of a substantial points deduction, one that’s sufficient to ensure their relegation to the second division at the end of the season.
However, the Dark Blues would have the right to appeal any penalty to the SFA. Meanwhile, manager Barry Smith has appealed to Dundee fans to rally behind his first home game in charge tomorrow.
The administration-hit Dark Blues welcome table-topping Dunfermline to Dens and Smith is hoping the occasion will draw a bumper crowd, providing a much needed financial lift for the stricken side.Healthy support”From the club’s point of view we’re really looking for a good turnout from our own supporters,” he said. “That goes without saying and hopefully Dunfermline will bring a healthy support as well.
“The bigger the crowd the better from a financial point of view. When the Dundee fans make themselves heard they can be that extra man that every team needs.
“After everything they’ve been through, they still turn up in their thousands. It speaks volumes for their loyalty to the cause.
“We’ve only got a small squad now so we’re going to need every extra bit of help from the stands as well.
“I think the players showed last Saturday at Stirling the commitment they’ve got to Dundee. They’re just looking for that wee bit of backing from the supporters throughout the game.
“That sort of support against Dunfermline will be particularly important.
“Dunfermline aren’t top of the league for no reason. They’ve got a strong squad with a lot of good individual players which will make for a very difficult game.”