The SPFL have slapped Dundee with a whopping £186,000 fine with £120,000 suspended following a series of call offs at Dens Park.
Rangers finally managed to get their away fixture in the City of Discovery played on Wednesday night at the THIRD attempt after two previous call-offs. St Johnstone’s McDiarmid Park was on stand by, but the previously sodden Dens pitch passed a Tuesday morning pitch inspection and the game went ahead as planned with the Dark Blues claiming a big point and denting the Light Blues’ title charge. That meant that Dundee managed to avoid a SIXTH call off of the season – but the fiasco to get the game game on has proven a step too far.
Following an SPFL investigation, Dundee admitted five separate breaches of SPFL Rules relating to their Dens Park pitch as a disciplinary hearing. These include the postponement of Premiership matches on 7 October 2023, 23 December 2023, 2 January 2024, 17 March 2024, and 10 April 2024.
Dundee have now been fined £186,000, of which £120,000 is suspended until the end of season 2024/25. The governing body state that the suspended element will be automatically triggered in the event of a further breach of SPFL Rules relating to pitch condition next season. An SPFL spokesman commented: “SPFL Rules on pitch condition are an integral part of maintaining a fair league competition.”
Dundee have released a statement confirming they will appeal the call. It read: “Following an SPFL disciplinary hearing today, Dundee FC has been advised of the Tribunal’s findings as set out in the below SPFL press release, which in our view is inaccurate. Dundee FC has in fact been fined £150,000, of which £120,000 is suspended until the end of season 2024/25. This suspended element will be automatically triggered in the event of a single waterlogged pitch postponement next season.
“In addition, £36,429.60 is payable as compensation to the SPFL for television and pitch specialist costs. Dundee Football Club are deeply disappointed with the severity of the punishment and are currently seeking legal advice with regards to an appeal. The club will be making no further comment on the outcome while we seek legal advice.”
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