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16 Jun 05 11:34 12:34 UK |
Dundee could take their appeal against the SPL's decision not to deduct points from Livingston all the way to governing bodies Uefa and Fifa.
The Dens Park club are unhappy at the £15,000 fine imposed on Livingston for payments made to Hassan Kachloul while he was registered as an amateur.
They intend asking for a Scottish Football Association investigation.
Dundee also expect to have counsel's legal opinion by early next week on the merits of their case.
A Dundee statement said: "We are utterly dismayed by the punishment handed out.
"It is extremely likely that we will be taking the matter further."
Livingston say they have been "cleared" by Wednesday's SPL board ruling despite technically breaching its signing and contractual rules while taking on forward Kachloul as an amateur.
But Dundee stress: "While we recognise that the SPL board had a difficult task in this case, we feel that they also had an opportunity to ensure that amateurism continued to enshrine everything that is noble and honest about Scottish football.
"Regrettably, instead, this decision has turned it into a charter for cheats.
"The SPL have fined Livingston FC #15,000 for paying an amateur player.
"This decision leaves Dundee FC playing in the First Division next season."
Debt-hit Dundee complain that relegation will cost their club £1.5m and put jobs in danger at Dens Park.
The Moroccan forward was released by Aston Villa in June 2004 but had already been registered as an amateur in England before joining Livingston.
Kachloul had been used as "commercial executive" at Almondvale.
The SPL suggested that Livi had breached its signing rules.
It pointed out that the club had not gained any advantage by listing Kachloul as an amateur because he could have been registered as a professional had the rules been properly consulted.
Livi chief executive Vivien Kyles said: "It is a relief to everyone at Livingston that this inquiry is over.
"We had no doubt that our name would be cleared.
"The SPL has confirmed that Livingston gained no competitive advantage by the signing of Hassan Kachloul.
"The key thing is that Livingston will compete in the SPL next season, as expected, and this will reassure everyone involved with the club."