Dundee manager Barry Smith hopes for leniency
Barry Smith, Dundee’s caretaker manager, has asked the Scottish Football League to be lenient regarding their punishment after the side entered into administration.
A decision should be announced late next week, and Dundee is expecting to be dealt a blow with the points deduction.
The club is currently in fifth position in the Scottish first division, but if they are deducted the expected nine points, they will find themselves rooted to the bottom of the table.
"Players want to play at the highest level they can. If that's taken away from them through no fault of their own, then I think that is disappointing...The players and the fans will be punished."
Two Dundee directors have already attended a hearing, and a date to discuss the club’s future with Bryan Jackson (the club’s administrator) has being set for Thursday, 28 October.
Dundee caretaker manager Smith is hopeful that the Scottish Football League will not be overly harsh, considering a number of clubs may face a similar situation in the future.
"Are they going to do that to every other club? Because I think there's a few in a perilous state just now as well."
"I don't think we're the only ones in this position, and I think we have to be careful whether they (SFL) want to set a precedent when they hit us with a massive points deduction."
Under a league ruling, the SFL has the power to punish clubs in breach of rules and Dundee may be made an example of, especially since the club went into administration only a few years ago.
Dundee will have the right to appeal the decision after Thursday’s meeting and announcement.
Smith hopes that the club avoids a serious penalty deduction, as his players try to get over the massive blow that has hit the club this season.
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