DFC arrived at the Hampden tribunal today to discover that Rangers were
going to argue on 4 technicalities that the tribunal should not go ahead.
DFC had no notice of Ranger's arguments. During three 3 hrs of legal
argument, DFC won 3 of the 4 points. The final point however concerned a
standard letter which Dundee and other clubs send to players whose contracts
are due to expire.
Basically the letter says (I paraphrase, this is not exact wording) "Dear
XXXX, your contract expires on XXXXX. We wish to retain you as a player and
wish to offer you a new contract on terms and conditions not less favourable
than those of your existing contract.." etc...
It's a standard letter which clubs send to out of contract players as the
first move in an attempt to negotiate a new contract with them. The letter
is used by DFC as well as a number of other SPL clubs and has been used for
over 20 years. Zura's letter was sent to him on May 12th as part of a
concerted bid to keep the player at Dens.
Rangers however - with three QC's in attendance - were able to argue
successfully today that the letter had no legal status and therefore could
not be regarded as an attempt by DFC to keep Zura at Dens. It is an
absolutely perverse decision which flies in the face of truth and the way
Scottish clubs have traditionally conducted their business with players for
the last 20 years. In effect, today's decision by the SPL tribunal says that
Dundee were quite content to let Zura go to the Rangers and therefore had no
right to claim any compensation.
To add insult to injury, the SPL themselves had tacitly approved the wording
of Zura's letter when it was copied to them back in May. Today, they've
turned full circle and agreed with Rangers. Surprised?
The SPL have said we have no right of appeal. We will not accept that ruling
however and are actively looking for avenues of appeal.
The club takes the view this is as grave a decision for Scottish football as
it is for our own club. Essentially it opens the door for the OF to steal
our best young players as and when they please, for not a single penny. It
also means every club who has written to a player in the last 20 years
offering to start contract talks has been in breach of the rules.
If you feel strongly enough about what's gone on today write to the SPL or
your MP and demand an inquiry. Otherwise we'd be as well shutting the doors
and walking away now.