Dunfermline consider legal challenge after Dundee placed in SPL for 2012/13

Dunfermline have said they will be discussing a legal challenge to the decision to invite Dundee to the SPL ahead of the 2012/13 season.

The East End Park club finished the 2011/12 season as bottom of the SPL, and were relegated from the top-flight.

However, following the news that Rangers newco will start life in Division Three, a place in the SPL was opened up, which Dunfermline believe should be theirs by rights.

Dunfermline finished eight points behind 11th placed Hibernian last season, and took no points from their three matches with Rangers last term.

Club chairman John Yorkston said that he would be meeting with his fellow directors this evening to discuss the verdict and whether the club should take further action.

Yorkston believes there may be a case to answer, following a leaked email which suggested Dundee would be offered the remaining place in the top flight were Rangers to be replaced.

Yorkston believes that in similar circumstances the SPL has previously set a precedent for allowing the bottom-placed team a reprieve, rather than grant a second promotion place.

There was no relegation in 2002/03 when Motherwell were spared relegation because Falkirk's stadium did not meet SPL requirements.

In 1999/00 the bottom placed side were due to face a play-off with the third placed team in Division One, but Aberdeen did not have to play the match because Falkirk's Brockville did not meet SPL criteria.

The Dunfermline chairman had previously told the Daily Mail that he would be seeking legal advice should Dunfermline be overlooked.

He said: "Dunfermline are not invited to the SPL meeting but I'm not sure there is any point in going anyway as it seems a decision has been made behind our backs several weeks ago.

'It looks very much like it's a carve-up and it's scandalous, even if Mr Regan thinks it was in the best interests of Scottish football.

"If the decision goes against us today we'll have no choice but to speak to our lawyers."

He had previously told the BBC that he expected Dunfermline to be part of the top flight next season.

In June, he said: "We fully expect to be the team in the SPL next season.

"We have taken legal advice on the matter and on the basis of that we would expect to be reinstated."

He has also added his voice to a growing number of chairmen who have called into question the positions of Stewart Regan and Neil Doncaster at the SFA and SPL.

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