| After a summer-long battle for what they believe is justice, an SFA appeals committee in Edinburgh was considering the Dark Blues plea for Livingston to have points deducted over the Hassan Kachloul affair — a move that would see them relegated instead.
Last month, Livi were fined £15,000 for paying Kachloul while he was operating on an amateur contract in the closing two months of last season.
That punishment, Dundee believe, was too lenient for an offence which, historically, has seen those found guilty hit with both a monetary penalty and points reductions.
The SPL felt that was not appropriate in this case because they believe Kachloul could have been signed as a professional and, therefore, payment to him amounted to little more than a storm in a teacup, worthy only of a fine.
Dundee were today arguing the basis for that judgment was wrong and were producing documentary evidence from FIFA that states amateur or professional status cannot be switched between transfer windows, making the breach more serious than SPL board members were led to believe.
Even if, however, the SFA share that view and call for a points deduction, the matter is unlikely to be resolved today.
Livi have already gone to court to ask for a judicial review of the SFA’s conduct since they became involved in the affair.
On top of that, it is understood the SPL may fight any attempt by the SFA to force them to hand out a stiffer penalty.
With just five days to go to the start of the new season that means Dundee remain unsure of where they will be playing.
Wherever it is, defender Callum Macdonald is now certain to miss out after failing to take part in either of the weekend’s City of Discovery Cup games.
Macdonald had a knee operation at the end of last term and, although he is nearing fitness, he is not quite ready for action.
“He’s still feeling the knee a wee bit and, in terms of competitive work, is not there yet. That’s why we left him out of the games on Saturday and yesterday, and it will probably be another couple of weeks before he can play,” said boss Jim Duffy.
Derek Soutar, Steven Robb and Stephen McNally missed out as well, but all three could still feature in the opener, which remains scheduled to be a Challenge Cup tie at home to East Stirling on Sunday.
“It will take a day or two for things to become clearer with them, but they could make it. We’ll also have to check on Barry Smith, who has taken a couple of knocks.”
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