Dundee are to call time on their battle against the 25-point penalty imposed on them by the Scottish Football League for going into administration.
The Dark Blues have failed in two appeals, first to the SFL and then on Friday when an SFA panel upheld the points deduction and transfer embargo.
Despite earlier hints of further legal action if their appeal failed, there is now a feeling within the club that they must move on.
Meanwhile, claims by Livingston FC the Dark Blues had not paid them for Leigh Griffiths were denied.
Administrator Bryan Jackson is compiling a creditors’ voluntary arrangement (CVA) to allow the club to come out of administration and it is felt his time and energy would be best put towards achieving this.
With a court case likely to be costly as well as time-consuming, the Dens men are now set to drop the matter and focus on winning the on-field battle for survival in division one.
As a result of the SFA rejection, the deduction leaves them on seven points at the bottom of the table five behind nearest rivals Stirling Albion.
“I have not spoken to our solicitors about it yet but it is unlikely we will be taking it any further,” said Jackson.
“The costs involved and the timescale make it difficult and I think the focus now goes on to getting through the CVA.
“Although today was a major matter it wasn’t the biggest part of it.
“The main thing is getting the CVA in place and getting out of administration because if we don’t do that there is no club.Hurdles”We have had the 25 points deducted and have a transfer embargo in place. We just have to look at them as two additional hurdles we have to get across.
“The club is fighting to survive off the park and the team are fighting to stay in division one.
“The backing of the fans has been brilliant so far and I would urge them to keep going with all of their efforts.”
Dundee Supporters Society fans rep Stuart Murphy struck a defiant note by pledging that the fight to secure the club’s future will continue unabated.
“We are obviously disappointed with today’s decision to reject what we feel was a very strong appeal, but with every blow we receive, we only become more determined to fight for the future of Dundee Football Club,” he said.
“I think it’s unarguable that some action had to be taken against the club but, since the SFL first announced the club’s punishment, we have argued that it was excessive and penalised the wrong people staff, players and supporters who did nothing to bring this situation about.
“We regret that common sense has not prevailed and that the penalty has not been reduced to a more proportionate level.
“The best thing fans can do at this time is to get right behind Barry and the boys in our fight to stay in this league.
“The efforts of the players since we went into administration have been remarkable, and their commitment matches that of the fans who have refused to let this club die.Survival”In one sense, today’s news changes nothing we are in a battle to secure the survival of the club we love and, no matter what obstacles are put in our way, we will never give up the fight.
“Together we can get through this and make Dundee a great club once again.”
Meanwhile, last night there was confusion surrounding a claim by Livingston FC that they have not received their transfer fee for Dundee star Leigh Griffiths.
The Scotland B team striker, currently involved in another proposed move to English Premier side Wolves, was signed from the West Lothian club for £125,000 in June, 2010.
However, Mr Jackson shot the allegation down.
“Livingston had the courtesy to let me know that they were contacting the SFL to say that they had never been paid the transfer fee for Leigh Griffiths.
“However, I have checked our club records and the money did come out of Dundee’s bank account and was transferred into Livingston’s designated bank account that is a matter of fact,” he said.
“It seems a bit strange that, nearly 18 months later, they start claiming they have never been paid.
“If there had been any dubiety, surely the player’s registration would not have gone through.
“If the money has not gone to Livingston FC and has ended up somewhere else, then that is a matter between them and the third party, not Dundee Football Club.”