DUNDEE United last night cranked up their battle with the Scottish Football Association by insisting that manager Craig Levein has no chance of being given a fair hearing when he's called in front of their General Purposes panel.
Chairman Eddie Thompson was incensed to see SFA President George Peat publicly slate his manager for criticising referee Mike McCurry in the wake of United's 3-1 defeat at Ibrox earlier this month and has threatened the Hampden office-bearer with leg
al action after describing Levein's outburst as 'criminal'.
The United manager rounded on McCurry for refusing to award his side a blatant penalty, chalking off a legitimate goal and then deciding against red carding Daniel Cousin for a headbutt on Lee Wilkie.
He accused the official of showing bias and of being unable to handle the size of the occasion, as three points for Rangers were, at that stage, crucial to their hopes of landing the championship.
United have already made an official complaint to the SFA about McCurry's performance but were infuriated to see Peat preempt the committee's meeting by criticising Levein. In a statement, the club said: "The use of the word 'criminal' by the SFA President has meant, unfortunately, that we will now have to seek legal advice on this matter.
"The question is, should the SFA President prejudge what is going to happen at a General Purposes Committee and go public before any action has been taken?
"We would strongly suggest that this would breach all the rules and would be prejudicial to a fair hearing.
"Dundee United wish to record our deep concern that the SFA President has spoken out before the General Purposes Committee has decided if there is a case to answer. In our opinion, his comments will undoubtedly influence the General Purposes Committee's view on this matter and are highly prejudicial in the extreme.
"Dundee United see this as a massive breach of procedure on the part of the SFA."
United lodged their complaint about McCurry to the SFA last week but have so far heard no response from the authorities.
A statement from the SFA read: "The Scottish FA will be replying to Dundee United's letter in due course. There is no suggestion that the Scottish FA president is seeking to influence the work of the General Purposes Committee."
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